Gweru arson duo arrested

Police in Gweru have arrested two suspects in connection with a fire that gutted four shops in the city’s central business district, uncovering a brazen scheme in which cellphones and laptops worth thousands of dollars were allegedly stolen before the premises were set alight.

Tephilia Sapphire (21) and Norman Mashindi (34) were arrested on Thursday, 29 October 2026, following a tip-off, six days after the blaze tore through a building along 6th Street on 23 October.

Investigations revealed that the pair allegedly stole cellphones and laptops valued at USD 17 000 from one of the shops before torching the premises in an apparent bid to destroy evidence of the theft.

Police have since recovered gadgets worth approximately USD 10 000 from the suspects’ hotel room, where the items were concealed in a black monarch bag, a travelling bag and a 50kg sack.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests and said investigations were ongoing.

“I can confirm that police in Gweru arrested Tephilia Sapphire, aged 21, and Norman Mashindi, aged 34, in connection with a case of arson and theft that occurred at a building along 6th Street in Gweru CBD on 23 October 2026, where four shops were destroyed,” said Commissioner Nyathi.

“The suspects allegedly stole cellphones and laptops valued at USD 17 000 from one of the shops before setting the shop on fire, and police have since recovered cellphones and laptops valued at approximately US$10,000 from the suspects’ hotel room, concealed in a black monarch bag, a travelling bag and a 50kg sack,” he said.

The recovery of the hoarded gadgets has lifted the lid on what investigators believe was a carefully executed criminal plot.

To steal high-value electronics under the cover of darkness, torch the shop to mask the crime, and stash the loot in a hotel room pending disposal.

The four destroyed shops left traders counting heavy losses, while the arrest has been welcomed as a breakthrough in the case.

Sapphire and Mashindi are expected to appear in court soon facing charges of arson and theft.