By Fanuel Chinowaita
Chipinge, 20 February 2026 – Police in Chipinge say a man convicted of stealing motorcycles has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, with an effective two years to be served, following his conviction at the Chipinge Magistrate Court.
According to police, Brian Komichiyana was convicted of organised motorcycle theft after planning and executing the crime under the guise of a friendly meeting.
Investigations revealed that Komichiyana stole a Lifan motorcycle in the Chipinge and Chimanimani areas before fleeing towards Birchenough Bridge, where the motorcycle was sold to a repairer for US$300 after an initial cash deposit of US$50.
The stolen motorcycle, valued at US$10,000, was later recovered. Police confirmed that the owner of one recovered motorcycle has since been positively identified, while owners of other motorcycles, which are suspected to have been stolen from Mozambique, are yet to come forward to identify their property.
In a separate case, police said Brian Obert Mugidho, a suspected habitual offender, is yet to be sentenced after being convicted of stealing a red Ryobi 950-watt generator valued at US$200 from a 31-year-old woman in Makuyana.
Police further allege that Mugidho is linked to several other cases of unlawful entry and theft committed in Chipinge and surrounding areas. He was arrested on January 15, 2026, after being found in possession of a large quantity of suspected stolen property.
Items recovered by police include laptops, speakers, power generators, 12-volt Exide batteries, cellphones, gas cylinders, clothes, blankets and other household goods. Some of the cases, police said, involve multiple complainants and incidents that occurred both locally and across the border.
Police confirmed that investigations into Mugidho’s cases are still ongoing, while sentencing in the generator theft matter is pending.
Authorities said the conviction and effective jail term in the motorcycle theft case sends a strong warning to criminals targeting motor vehicles and household property in Chipinge district.