Thulani Sibanda
(24), stationed at Gweru Police Protection Unit (PPU), is now cooling his heels
in remand prison after pleading guilty to two counts of theft when he appeared
before Victoria Falls Magistrate Gift Manyika on Friday. He returns to court Monday
for sentencing.
According to
State prosecutor Portia Moyo, Sibanda’s sticky fingers struck first on 12 May
2025, when he visited a friend’s home in Chinotimba.
The two were
chilling in the yard, vibing to music from an Itel A70 smartphone when the host
briefly stepped into the house, only to return and find both the cop and the
phone gone! Attempts to call Sibanda were initially successful, with the rogue
cop promising to return the gadget. But soon after, he switched off the phone
and vanished like mist.
Investigations
later led to the recovery of the phone from Nyasha Samsun, who revealed he had
bought it from the officer.
Value of phone:
US$270. Recovered.
Two days later,
on 14 May, Sibanda allegedly struck again, this time at Moringa Shopping
Centre. Pretending to be a customer, the officer waited for a moment when a
busy shopkeeper turned his back, then swiftly snatched a Samsung Galaxy and
disappeared without a trace.
He was finally
nabbed on 15 May on a different theft case, and during a search, police
discovered the stolen Samsung in his possession. The second victim was tracked
down and confirmed ownership.
Value of phone:
US$200. Recovered.
Sibanda now
faces the long arm of the law, from the wrong side of the cuffs. Sunday Mail
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