A 31-year-old Plumtree resident has landed in trouble with the law after he allegedly stole a butcherman’s bicycle under the cover of darkness, sparking a police investigation that eventually led to his arrest and court appearance.
The accused, Nqabutho Ncube, appeared this week before Plumtree magistrate Joshua Nembaware, facing a charge of theft. He was not asked to plead to the charge and was remanded out of custody to September 11, pending trial.
According to the State’s outline, the incident occurred on the night of August 29, 2025, around midnight, when Ncube allegedly entered Mabalengwe Butchery, a local business that serves as a central point in the community, and stole a bicycle belonging to Ndumiso Moyo, a butcher employed at the shop.
Court papers reveal that the bicycle, which Moyo used daily for commuting and errands linked to his butchery work, was parked securely outside the premises. At the time, the business had closed for the day, and residents in the area were asleep.
It is alleged that Ncube approached the butchery in the dead of night, quietly removed the bicycle, and vanished without alerting anyone. His movements went unnoticed in the darkness, and he allegedly made off with the bicycle without resistance.
The complainant only discovered the theft hours later. When Moyo arrived at the butchery in the early hours of the following morning, he noticed the bicycle missing. Realising that the theft must have occurred overnight, he inspected the ground and reportedly saw fresh tyre tracks leading away from the premises.
Police Investigation and Recovery a stolen bicycle
The complainant wasted no time in alerting the police. He filed a report at the nearest police station, providing a detailed description of the bicycle and sharing his observations regarding the tyre marks.
Detectives from Plumtree launched investigations, which led them to track down the missing bicycle. The property was successfully recovered and has since been returned to the owner.
Prosecutor Sheila Nyathi, who is handling the case, told the court that the bicycle was valued at US$200, a significant amount for the complainant, whose livelihood depends on reliable transport.
During the brief appearance, Magistrate Nembaware informed the accused that his case would proceed to trial in September. The magistrate also granted him remand out of custody, meaning Ncube will not remain detained while awaiting trial but will need to return to court on the specified date.
The charge, classified under ordinary theft, carries penalties ranging from fines to custodial sentences depending on the circumstances and the accused’s previous record.
The State is expected to call witnesses, including the complainant, investigating officers, and possibly other locals who may have seen the accused in possession of the stolen bicycle.
News of the alleged theft has stirred conversations in Plumtree, a border town where bicycles remain a common and vital mode of transportation. Many residents use them not only for commuting but also for small-scale business activities, such as ferrying goods and produce.
Local shop owners in the area have expressed concern over rising cases of petty thefts, particularly targeting bicycles, groceries, and mobile phones. While these crimes are often considered minor compared to more violent offenses, they have a profound impact on victims, many of whom rely heavily on the stolen items for their daily livelihoods.
Community members have called for tighter security measures around business premises, including the installation of locks, alarms, and better lighting to deter opportunistic thieves.
The case comes at a time when authorities in Zimbabwe have been urging citizens to safeguard their property amid an increase in opportunistic thefts across urban and rural areas. Police have repeatedly encouraged the public to report suspicious behaviour immediately and to mark their bicycles and other valuables for easier identification if stolen.
Bicycles, in particular, remain attractive to thieves because they are easy to resell on the black market. With prices of new bicycles rising sharply due to inflation and import costs, stolen bicycles can fetch quick cash for offenders.
For now, the accused will remain free until his next court date. If convicted, Ncube could face a fine, community service, or imprisonment, depending on the magistrate’s assessment of the severity of the crime and any mitigating or aggravating factors presented during the trial.
The complainant, meanwhile, has since recovered his bicycle, but the case underscores the vulnerabilities faced by small business operators who often lack the resources for sophisticated security.
As the trial date approaches, the Plumtree community will be watching closely, eager to see whether justice will be delivered in this case that has placed the spotlight on everyday struggles against crime in the town.
source- byo24
