A 38-year-old man from Seke has been fined after he carelessly left a loaded pistol in a lodge room, sparking alarm among staff and resulting in his arrest. The incident has drawn attention to firearm safety regulations in Zimbabwe, with authorities warning gun owners against negligence that could endanger the public.
The man, identified as Simbarashe Ruwocha, a self-employed resident of Unit O in Seke, had booked a room at Mukanya Lodge on August 31, 2025. According to court documents, he carried with him a CZ V20 pistol, serial number 324097, with its magazine loaded with five live rounds of ammunition.
After spending the night at the lodge, Ruwocha checked out early the following morning. Unbeknown to him, he had left the firearm unsecured and lying on the floor of the room.
Around 7am on September 1, a lodge worker, Yeukai Mudimu, entered the room to clean after his departure. To her shock, she discovered the pistol on the floor. The weapon, still loaded, posed an immediate safety risk.
The lodge management promptly contacted the police, who rushed to the scene. Officers secured the firearm and began investigations. It was soon established that the weapon was licensed to Ruwocha, leading to his swift arrest.
Ruwocha appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Batista Madzingira charged with contravening Section 28 (2) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 10:09, which criminalises the failure to properly safeguard a firearm and its ammunition.
In court, he did not contest the charge. Instead, he admitted to the careless oversight and pleaded guilty.
The magistrate noted that while Ruwocha was a licensed firearm holder, his failure to secure the weapon had created a potentially dangerous situation. “Leaving a loaded gun unattended in a public place is reckless and could have resulted in tragic consequences,” the court heard.
Man Fined After Leaving Loaded Firearm at Lodge in Chitungwiza
In mitigation, Ruwocha said the incident was not deliberate and that he had forgotten the weapon during checkout. However, the magistrate stressed the seriousness of the matter, pointing out that firearms require strict responsibility at all times.
The court fined him US$200 or its equivalent in ZiG, with an alternative sentence of five months imprisonment should he fail to pay.
Prosecutor Shamiso Charmaine Mwapangira told the court that the matter only came to light because of the vigilance of the lodge staff. She highlighted the potential danger had the firearm fallen into the wrong hands.
“The accused checked out of the lodge and left the firearm behind. It was noticed by the cleaner, who then alerted her superiors. The police were called and the weapon was secured before any harm could occur,” she submitted.
Mwapangira stressed that the case was a reminder of why firearm owners must exercise maximum caution.Cases of negligence involving firearms are taken seriously in Zimbabwe, particularly in urban areas where the risk to public safety is greater. Legal experts note that even though Ruwocha had a licence, the law requires owners to ensure weapons are always locked away or under their control.
Had the firearm been discovered by someone with ill intentions, the outcome could have been disastrous. In recent years, Zimbabwe has witnessed several crimes committed using stolen or misplaced guns, prompting authorities to tighten enforcement of the Firearms Act.
A police spokesperson, commenting generally on such cases, warned gun owners not to treat their weapons casually. “A firearm is not like any other personal possession. It is a dangerous tool that must always be handled with care. Leaving it unattended is an offence that will be prosecuted,” he said.The case of Simbarashe Ruwocha serves as a cautionary tale. While he avoided jail by paying a fine, the embarrassment of arrest and trial, as well as the possibility of imprisonment, underscores the risks of negligence.
Observers say the case also highlights the importance of awareness among hotel and lodge staff. In this instance, the quick response by the cleaner and management likely averted a potential crisis.
For the public, the story is a reminder of the thin line between safety and tragedy when firearms are involved. For gun owners, it reinforces the legal and moral duty to safeguard their weapons at all times.Ruwocha’s case may appear to be a simple lapse of memory, but under the law, such lapses carry serious consequences. The Chitungwiza court’s ruling sends a strong message that firearm safety is non-negotiable.
As the magistrate emphasised, “The moment you are entrusted with a firearm, you are entrusted with responsibility.”
Source- Herald
