Zimbabwe: Children aged 12 to 16 arrested over house break-ins, thefts exceeding $10,000
Police in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, have arrested a group of children and teenagers accused of carrying out a series of house break-ins across several city suburbs, with stolen property valued at more than US$10,000.
The suspects, aged between 12 and 16, are alleged to have been involved in a wave of burglaries that began in October 2025 and left residents of Nkulumane and Tshabalala shaken.
Their arrest followed a months-long investigation into a surge in reported cases of unlawful entry and theft in the two neighbourhoods.
On 8 January 2026, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said they were investigating 20 separate incidents committed between 15 October and 30 December 2025.
Stolen items included cash and household goods valued at US$8,948, ZAR 13,400 and P2,350. Police added that 10 juveniles had assisted in the recovery of some of the stolen property, including four mobile phones and power banks.
A separate report by state broadcaster ZBC said a total of 14 juveniles aged between 11 and 17 were eventually taken into custody, with the cumulative value of the stolen items exceeding US$10,000.
Detective Inspector Stanley Muya, Officer-in-Charge at CID Nkulumane, said the operation was prompted by a noticeable rise in break-ins.
“There was an increase in house break-ins in Tshabalala and Nkulumane from October to January. On January 4, we apprehended four juveniles, who then led us to the arrest of 10 more. They stole valuables worth over US$10,000,” he said.
The arrests have caused distress within the community, particularly due to the ages of those involved. One resident described the situation as “wasted potential”, while a parent of one of the suspects said they were shocked and unaware of their child’s alleged involvement.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s activities. She also advised residents to strengthen security at their homes and avoid keeping large sums of cash on their premises.
The juveniles remain in custody as legal proceedings get under way.
