CHIPINGE – A Zimbabwean journalist who was on internship with the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services was apprehended for allegedly stealing a laptop belonging to Chipinge district offices in May 2024 and sold it to a passerby in Chimoio, Mozambique.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Manicaland provincial spokesperson, Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said that the suspect, Livingstone Mtetwa (28) of Chipinge’s Gaza new stands was on the run since May 2024 after allegedly stealing complainant, Zaine Dube’s (of Gaza Township in Chipinge) office laptop who was employed by the Ministry (Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services) as the District Information Officer (DIO). During the commission of the alleged crime, the suspect was (then) employed as a student on industrial internship (attachment) whereupon during the course of investigations, he fled to Mozambique.
“Sometime in May 2024, police in Chipinge received a report on unlawful entry at the District Information Officer’s office where Livingstone Mtetwa was identified as the suspect. Mtetwa was (then) employed by the same office as a journalism student on industrial attachment, and whilst investigations were in its infancy, he fled to an unknown destination and location,” Chinyoka said.
“Acting on a tip-off by an informant to track down the suspect during routine police patrols on 24 December 2025 (after a year and some months later), authorities received information to the effect that the suspect was in the area where they swiftly responded and successfully apprehend him (Mtetwa) at his known residence. Further investigations by our officers led Mtetwa to admit and revealed that he stole the laptop and sold it to an unknown passerby whom he met in Chimoio (Mozambique) whilst on the run,” Chinyoka added.
Meanwhile, Inspector Chinyoka emphasised the importance of integrity, especially for journalists.
“We urge all citizens, including those in the media, to uphold the law and respect others’ property,” Chinyoka said.
The journalist is expected to appear in court soon, with the laptop’s owner (DIO) being informed about the development. This incident raises concerns about professionalism and ethics in journalism.
Source – Byo24News
