Although the break-in was an inside job which resulted in
the arrest of two security guards who were manning the premises, the state of
the provincial offices provides minimal security to the highly valued public
records kept there.
The wooden cabins have been severely weakened by termites,
while heavy rains have flooded the offices on countless occasions.
For years now, no permanent buildings have been constructed
at the registry and work is being conducted from the wooden structures that are
slowly giving in to the vagaries of weather.
Two security guards from Online Security Company who were
stationed at the registry and an accomplice have since been arrested over the
June 4 break-in.
Tonderai Emmanuel Rwanga (36), Wiseman Musindo (24) and
Judah Duri (29) were last week hauled before Mutare magistrate, Ms Prisca
Manhivi.
They are facing unlawful entry charges as defined in
Section 131 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
Public prosecutor, Mr Tendai Nyatsuro told the court that
the suspects executed the break in on June 4.
“On the day in question, Rwanga and Musindo commenced duty
at the Provincial Registry. They checked the premises and everything was
intact.
“The duo assigned themselves duties and Rwanga was manning
the lower side of the premises, while the other guard was manning the main
gate,” he said.
The following morning at around 1am, Rwanga was carrying
out his perimeter checks when he discovered that the door to the accounts
office was wide open.
“He went on to advise his workmate who was at the main
gate. The two teamed up and proceeded to the office to find out what had
happened. They entered into the room and discovered that all the doors and padlocks
leading to the strong room had been broken,” said Mr Nyatsuro.
The thieves had also broken a cash box that was holding the
previous day’s passport fees. The two guards went on to inform their superiors
about the break in and a police report was made.
Police detectives from Mutare CID attended the scene and
found out that cash amounting to US$6 345, $591 and some fuel coupons had been
stolen.
Investigations carried out established that the guards who
were on duty had connived with some thieves to commit the offence. They were
subsequently arrested and as investigations were being carried out, Duri was
arrested by police detectives from CID Southerton in Harare for other unlawful
entry cases. During interviews, he revealed that he had committed two unlawful
entry crimes in Mutare.
Duri also implicated Munyaradzi alias Dhongi Ruzvidzo,
Munashe alias Rasta Ruzvidzo, Nedias Malume Nyarudo and Grant Tawanda alias
T-One Gawi.
He told the police detectives that his gang had broken into
the Manicaland Provincial Registry Offices in connivance with the two guards
who were on duty. For assisting the thieves, the guards were reportedly paid
US$200 each.
Duri got a share of US$800 while the fuel coupons were
taken by Dhongi Ruzvidzo. This is not the first time the state of the
Provincial Registry has stirred a hornets’ nest.
Last year, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister
Kazembe Kazembe was shocked by the state of the registry when he was briefed by
the Provincial Registrar, Ms Joyce Munamati, during the official opening of the
Murambinda Civil Registry Sub-office.
“I didn’t expect the provincial offices to have such
offices so we will discuss this further to see how we can deal with the issue,”
he said back then.
Two years ago, suspended Registrar-General, Mr Clemence
Masango, said the state of the RG’s provincial offices was embarrassing and did
not reflect the importance of the institution. Manica Post
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