A 38-year-old resident of Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, has been handed an eightcourt-sentences-two-men-to-death-armed-robbery/” title=”Ondo … Hands Down Death Sentences to Two Men for Daring Armed Robbery”>-year prison term after being found guilty of masquerading as a disabled person to pilfer from medical personnel in a series of premeditated thefts.
Benjamin Mutambanengwe faced conviction on eight charges of aggravated unlawful entry following a comprehensive trial overseen by Harare magistrate Blessing Mafukidze.
The court was informed that Mutambanengwe’s intricate ruse involved the use of crutches to feign physical impairment, a tactic that earned him sympathy and allowed him to infiltrate restricted hospital and clinic zones. Once inside, he targeted valuable possessions such as laptops and smartphones belonging to doctors and nurses preoccupied with patient care.
The criminal activities were uncovered following a pivotal event at Health Point Hospital in Harare on September 9 of the previous year. Testimony revealed that a doctor had secured his office before rushing out to attend to an urgent case. Taking advantage of the situation, Mutambanengwe posed as a distressed patient and slipped into the office, making off with a Pro Book laptop.
“Upon returning, the complainant noticed his laptop was missing. Subsequent review of CCTV footage showed the accused carrying the stolen device,” the investigating officer reported to the court.
This video evidence was crucial, exposing Mutambanengwe’s method of exploiting empathy to facilitate theft.
His criminal pattern persisted. Merely two weeks later, on September 25, he targeted Avondale Clinic. Prosecutor Mercy Marange explained that Mutambanengwe entered during visiting hours, masquerading as a genuine visitor. “He proceeded directly to the reception area, where he stole a Samsung A13 phone left unattended on a table before leaving,” Marange stated.
The theft was discovered when the staff member returned to find her phone missing. A comparable incident occurred at Southland Regional on October 24, 2024, where a Samsung Nokia G21 belonging to healthcare worker Vongai Makotore was stolen in a similar fashion.
Following these repeated offenses, law enforcement initiated a search that culminated in Mutambanengwe’s capture. On October 12 this year, he confessed fully and even guided officers to several crime scenes, demonstrating how he carried out his deceptive acts.
The State prosecutor condemned his actions as “deliberate and merciless,” emphasizing, “The accused gained entry under the guise of a visitor, proceeded to the reception, stole the phone from the table, and left undetected.”
By imposing an eight-year sentence, the Harare Magistrates’ Court sent a strong message that abusing the trust and kindness of healthcare professionals-especially those dedicated to caring for the ill and vulnerable-will face severe consequences. This verdict stands as a firm deterrent against exploiting compassion for criminal purposes.
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