By A Correspondent- Three suspected burglars have been arrested for breaking into Women’s Affairs Minister Sithembiso Nyoni’s house in Chisipite.

The thieves got away with household items worth US$10 500.

On Wednesday, the three, Justin Nyamakanga Dodzo, Godfrey Magadu and Tafadzwa Mupfuurira appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court facing four counts of unlawful entry.

They were not asked to plead to the charges when they appeared before magistrate Judith Taruvinga who remanded them in custody today to continue their bail application.

Through the investigating officer, the State opposed the granting of bail to the trio, saying they were flight risks and also likely to commit similar offences.

Lancelot Mutsokoti from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) told the court that on 21 July this year, Minister Nyoni left Clinton Nkala, who is a caretaker and Steady Chikwaya from the police protection unit, manning her house.

The next day, Nkala, locked the doors and left Chikwaya on guard.
On 23 July, at around 5.45 am, Nkala was awakened by Chikwaya who wanted to know why he had left the doors open during the night.
Nkala is said to have told Chikwaya that he had locked the doors when he retired to bed.

They conducted a check around the house and noticed that the television set was missing and further checks revealed that various household items had been stolen.

Minister Nyoni’s son, Dumisani, reported the matter to the police.
The three men were arrested after they committed several other burglaries in Harare, including in Vainona on 9 August and Chisipite on 16 August.

One Godfrey Chamunoda was spotted at Chisipite Shopping Centre riding a bicycle that had been stolen from Joseph Mudehanha who confronted him. Chamunoda then told Mudehanha that he had bought the bicycle from Magadu.

Magadu then led police to Glen Norah B in Harare where Dodzo and Mupfuurira were arrested at their residences.