By Heather Buzuzi
MUTARE, 5 July 2026 – A 30-year-old Mutare man has been arrested after he was allegedly caught attempting to remove the registration plates from a stolen vehicle just hours after it disappeared from a local garage.
Confirming the incident, ZRP Manicaland Acting Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said Lancelot Munhandi was arrested in connection with the theft of a Toyota Altezza, registration number ADQ 7459, valued at US$2,500.
According to Assistant Inspector Chinyoka, the vehicle belongs to Bothwell Gomba (50), a mechanic employed at Lamtrans Motors in downtown Mutare.
“The complainant parked his Toyota Altezza at his workplace on the morning of July 3, 2026, leaving the keys in the ignition while he attended to his duties. At around 3:30pm, he discovered that the vehicle was missing and made a report to ZRP Mutare Central,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said two of Gomba’s workmates immediately launched a search for the vehicle.
“While driving along the Harare-Mutare Road, they spotted the stolen vehicle parked near Victoria Chitepo Hospital. The suspect was allegedly standing behind the vehicle attempting to remove its rear registration plates. They apprehended him and recovered the vehicle keys before notifying the complainant,” he said.
The complainant later recovered the vehicle at the scene.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said Munhandi was subsequently arrested and is being detained at ZRP Mutare Central pending further investigations.
He said the stolen vehicle, valued at US$2,500, was recovered intact and is being held as an exhibit.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka urged motorists to avoid leaving vehicle keys unattended, warning that such negligence creates opportunities for criminals.
“Vehicle owners should always remove keys from the ignition, lock their vehicles and ensure they are properly secured, even when parked within workplaces or other seemingly safe environments,” he said.