Gutu “ghost” robber unmasked

Lloyd Ndemo

Police in Gutu, a district in Zimbabwe’s Masvingo province, have arrested a 27 year old man for allegedly breaking into homes and stealing valuables under the cover of a ghost costume.

Norman Chagwiza from Madzivo Village under Chief Gutu was arrested on Wednesday after he was caught stealing solar panels at a homestead in Gutu.

He was clad in a ghost costume, which he presumably used to scare his victims.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa told ZTN that the suspect appeared in court on Thursday facing theft charges.

“The suspect is now before the courts,” he said.

Inspector Dhewa added, “Allegations are that on Wednesday he went to Mupambiwa Village where he stole a step ladder and went to another homestead where he intended to steal solar panels.”

“While he was in the act of removing the panels from the roof the owner of the house woke up and checked outside and found a “ghost” jumping from the roof. “

The house owner gave chase and apprehended the suspect before calling the police.

Inspector Dhewa said this was the first time they had received such a report of the ghost thief.

‘We have not received any other reports where people lost valuables to suspects wearing such a costume.”