Chiwenga’s Wife Targeted in US$15,000 Theft as Domboshava Teen Pleads Guilty-A 19-year-old man from Domboshava has pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful entry and theft after stealing mobile phones valued at more than US$15,000 from a shop owned by Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi Chiwenga, the wife of Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga.
The accused, Succeed Mukaro, appeared in the Harare Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, June 5, where he admitted to the charges. Magistrate Ethel Chichera presided over the case and ordered that Mukaro be remanded in custody. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, June 6.
Prosecutor Polite Chikiwa detailed the circumstances surrounding the case. The burglary occurred on May 31, 2025, at a retail outlet located in the upscale Borrowdale area of Harare. The shop, which specializes in selling high-end electronic gadgets, is managed by Colonel Baloyi Chiwenga ,wife of Zimbabwe’s VP Constantino Chiwenga.
According to the prosecution, the incident began around 3:00 PM, when the shop’s supervisor, identified as Ossie Shone, completed his duties for the day, locked up the store, and left with the keys. Later that evening, at approximately 7:10 PM, Mukaro broke into the premises by smashing through the shop’s front glass wall. Once inside, he stole a number of mobile devices with a total value estimated at US$15,915. He then fled the scene undetected.
A police investigation was launched shortly after the theft was reported. On June 3, detectives received a tip-off indicating that mobile phones matching the description of the stolen items were being sold in Harare’s central business district. The information led officers to a phone dealer identified as Blessed Luciano.
Upon being approached, Luciano confessed that he had recently acquired several mobile devices and directed officers to the person who sold them to him—Isaac Craig Chaza. The detectives, working undercover as interested buyers, arranged a meeting with Chaza.
Chaza arrived at the meeting accompanied by another individual, Strive Makangira. Police conducted a search and managed to recover additional stolen cellphones from the pair. Upon further questioning, Chaza admitted that the phones had been supplied to him by Mukaro for resale.
Domboshava Teen Pleads Guilty to US$15,000 Cellphone Theft From Vice President Chiwenga’s Wife’s Shop
Following this admission, Chaza and Makangira cooperated with the investigation and led detectives to Joina City Mall, a popular commercial complex in central Harare. There, officers successfully apprehended Mukaro. A follow-up search at his residence in Domboshava resulted in the recovery of more of the stolen mobile devices.
The swift collaboration between informants, undercover officers, and detectives helped authorities trace and recover a significant portion of the stolen merchandise. Police praised the public for providing critical information that assisted in tracking the distribution trail of the stolen phones.
While a full inventory is yet to be finalised, officials stated that the recovered phones accounted for the majority of the missing items. Authorities continue to investigate whether any additional individuals were involved in the crime or benefited from the resale of the stolen goods.
Colonel Baloyi Chiwenga wife of Zimbabwe’s VP, Constantino Chiwenga. not publicly commented on the incident, though sources close to the family said she was “shocked and disappointed” by the theft targeting her business. The shop is said to have resumed operations following repairs to the damaged entrance.
As the case proceeds to the sentencing phase, legal experts suggest that Mukaro could face a lengthy custodial sentence given the severity of the charges, the value of the stolen property, and his admission of guilt. Under Zimbabwean law, unlawful entry and theft involving high-value goods can carry significant prison terms, especially if premeditation or organized resale is proven.
This case has drawn public attention due to the high-profile nature of the victim, as well as the broader issue of crime affecting both private citizens and public figures in Zimbabwe. The outcome of Mukaro’s sentencing on June 6 is expected to set a precedent in how the courts handle similar cases involving burglary and high-value theft.
