Police in Bulawayo are investigating the theft and robbery of two Honda Fit vehicles in separate incidents in the city, weeks after two men appeared in court accused of stealing and stripping five vehicles of the same model.
The latest incidents occurred on August 9 and 10 in Pumula and the central business district (CBD), with one motorist allegedly confronted by armed suspects before his vehicle was driven away and another losing his car after parking it outside a supermarket.
The cases add to growing concerns over the targeting of Honda Fits in Bulawayo. In July, two men appeared before a Bulawayo magistrate accused of stealing five Honda Fits between May and July, stripping them of parts and, in some cases, burning or dumping the vehicles.
The five vehicles were allegedly stolen from locations including Jason Moyo Street in the CBD, Luveve 5 Road, Tshabalala, Nketa 9 Shopping Centre and a house in Bulawayo. The State told the court that the suspects removed valuable components including gearboxes, engines, radiators and wheels before disposing of some of the vehicles.
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Police have not indicated whether the latest incidents are connected to those cases.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said police were investigating a case of robbery of a motor vehicle in Pumula and a separate case of theft of a motor vehicle in the CBD.
In the first incident, on August 9 at about 10pm, a 52-year-old self-employed pirate taxi driver from Cowdray Park was hired by an unknown man at a garage in the CBD to take him to Pumula.
Msebele said the driver was using an old-shape Honda Fit and parked at the gate of the passenger’s residence in Pumula South.
“He disembarked and closed all doors leaving the vehicle idling. He then assisted the customer in offloading luggage and accompanied him into the house,” said Msebele.
“When returning, he saw four unknown male adults emerging from the dark and one of them produced a knife and charged towards him. Sensing danger, he fled from the scene and the accused persons boarded his vehicle and drove away.”
The stolen vehicle was valued at US$4,500 and had not been recovered when the case was reported.
In a separate incident on August 10 at about 7.30pm, a 30-year-old man from Sizinda parked his black old-shape Honda Fit at a car park outside a supermarket in the CBD.
He locked the vehicle, took the keys and entered the shop.
“He returned after approximately five minutes and discovered that his motor vehicle had been stolen,” said Msebele.
The vehicle was valued at US$5,000 and had not been recovered.
Msebele appealed to anyone with information that could help identify the suspects or recover the vehicles to report to the nearest police station.
She urged motorists to exercise caution when transporting people they do not know, particularly at night, and to avoid leaving vehicles unattended while the engine is running.
“Members of the public are urged to exercise caution when transporting unknown passengers, especially during the night hours and to avoid leaving vehicles unattended while the engine is running,” she said.
“Motorists are also encouraged to park their vehicles in secure and well-monitored areas and install tracking devices to enhance security and assist in the recovery of stolen vehicles.”
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