Two Harare Carjackers Jailed for 20 Years After Armed Robbery Spree

HARARE, Zimbabwe – Two Epworth men who terrorised motorists across Greater Harare in a series of violent vehicle hijackings have been sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison following their conviction on multiple armed robbery charges.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the conviction of Leonard Zinduru (33) and Trymore Bandira Chibvaru (44), who were found guilty of a string of armed robberies involving motor vehicles, cash, mobile phones, and other valuables. The pair appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court on May 27, 2026, where they were convicted and sentenced by Magistrate Mtombeni. The State was represented by prosecutor Mr Songozo.

The court sentenced the duo to 22 years imprisonment each, with two years suspended for five years on condition they do not commit similar offences during that period, leaving them to serve an effective 20-year jail term.

According to police, Zinduru and Chibvaru carried out a series of violent carjackings during October 2025, targeting unsuspecting motorists in various parts of Greater Harare. The accused allegedly used violence and threats of immediate violence to overpower victims, often brandishing a knife before stealing motor vehicles and personal belongings.

Police said victims were robbed of their cars, cash, mobile phones, and other valuables during the attacks.

"The suspects used violence or threats of immediate violence by producing a knife and threatening victims before robbing them of motor vehicles, cash, cellphones and various property," the ZRP said in a statement.

The suspects' criminal activities came to an abrupt end on October 13, 2025, when detectives tracked a stolen vehicle fitted with a vehicle tracking device in the Hatfield area. Police swiftly moved in and arrested the two suspects while they were driving the stolen car.

Following the arrest, detectives searched the suspects and the recovered vehicle, leading to the recovery of several items believed to have been stolen from victims during the robbery spree. Investigations linked the pair to a total of five armed motor vehicle robbery cases, all of which they later admitted to during investigations.

The conviction has been welcomed as a major breakthrough in the fight against vehicle-related crimes in Harare. Police have urged motorists to take proactive measures to protect their vehicles from theft and hijacking by installing tracking and anti-hijacking systems.

"The Zimbabwe Republic Police continues to urge members of the public to install anti-hijacking systems on motor vehicles to avoid creating opportunities that allow criminals to drive away stolen vehicles," said Detective Inspector Muteweri R, the Provincial Community Relations Liaison Officer for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Security experts say vehicle tracking technology is increasingly playing a critical role in helping law enforcement agencies recover stolen vehicles and apprehend suspects involved in car theft and armed robbery cases. The successful arrest and conviction of Zinduru and Chibvaru highlights the importance of modern vehicle security systems in combating organised vehicle crime across Zimbabwe.

Harare carjackers sentenced