By Panashe Divine Karidzagundi
A Beitbridge based vendor, Nokuthula Moyo, is counting her losses after falling victim to a theft incident barely days after losing goods worth approximately R30 000 in a devastating fire at Tshitaudze Grocery Market.
She vividly remembers a pregnant member of the gang which confused her in the pretext of buying..
The latest incident occurred on Thursday evening when Moyo was targeted by three unidentified women suspected to be part of a coordinated theft ring operating in Beitbridge.
The office commanding Beitbridge Police District Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube, confirmed that investigations are underway.
“We are aware of the matter and investigations are in progress. There are also groceries recovered following the Tshitaudze market fire that are yet to be audited to determine their rightful owners,” he said.
“Members of the public should report any information that may assist in the investigations and to engage with the Officer in Charge (Beitbridge Urban), Chief Inspector Ndlovu, for swift assistance,” said Ncube.
According to Moyo, the suspects approached her place (stall) posing as customers intending to purchase basic commodities.
“They came pretending to buy rice. While I was assisting one of them, another came asking for sugar. As I focused on the second customer, the first one quickly grabbed my handbag,” said Moyo.
The stolen handbag reportedly contained R2,600, US$12, national identity documents, medical records, and house keys.
Moyo said the incident has left her devastated, especially coming so soon after she lost her stock in the recent market inferno.
“I am still trying to recover from the fire, and now this has happened. It’s very painful,” Moyo added.
Witnesses described the suspects as three women of which one is pregnant, driving a silver Nissan Tiida fitted with distinctive spike mag wheels.
The same group is also allegedly linked to another theft incident at a local Restaurant in Beitbridge, where a mobile phone was stolen under similar circumstances.
Moyo quickly made a police at Tshitaudze Police Base, Beitbridge soon after.