[Zimbabwe Herald] Police yesterday confiscated 67 more cellphone handsets, believed to have been stolen, in Harare and Chitungwiza, under an operation to destroy markets for stolen handsets.
This brings the number of handsets confiscated since the crackdown began last week to 1 267.
The figure is expected to rise as more handsets were confiscated in other areas but the police stations had not forwarded the figures to Harare Central Police Station.
Officer Commanding Harare Province Senior Assistant Commissioner Charles Makono yesterdaysaid of yesterday's haul, 48 were confiscated in Chitungwiza, 11 in Waterfalls while eight were impounded in the central Harare.
"Some of the (police) stations are yet to provide the number of cellphones they have confiscated and the figures are expected to rise," he said.
"The operation is still continuing and people should desist from buying property suspected to have been stolen.
"We will not hesitate to arrest them if they are found with such property," said Snr Asst Comm Makono.
He said several people had been arrested after being found with stolen property, including cellphone handsets, and some had since appeared in court while others were still in custody assisting police with investigations.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Memory Pamire yesterday said some people were already coming to Harare Central Police Station to possibly identify their stolen handsets.
"We were getting an overwhelming response, but people will only be able to do so (identify) as from this coming Monday," she said.
Police will check against serial numbers in the identification process.
The handsets are believed to have been stolen during plain robberies, armed robberies, housebreakings, and theft from cars.
Most of the stolen gadgets were finding their way to Ximex Mall, the Copacabana area, Gulf Complex and other shopping centres in and around Harare and Chitungwiza where there are ready markets.
These places used to be frequented by foreign currency dealers who have since been driven out of business following the dollarisation of the economy.
Meanwhile, the body of a man believed to have been killed during a robbery was found lying near Chiremba Road in Epworth last Friday.
Asst Insp Pamire said police were investigating the case.
The body was found at around 7am with shoes and trousers removed. The body was taken to the Parirenyatwa Hospital mortuary for postmortem.
Asst Insp Pamire urged the public to desist from walking alone especially at night and avoid using footpaths.
Criminals are targeting victims for cellphones and cash.
Zimbabwe: Police Confiscate More Cellphones
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