A 38-year-old man from Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after faking a disability to steal from healthcare workers in a calculated crime spree.
Benjamin Mutambanengwe was convicted on eight counts of unlawful entry under aggravating circumstances following a full trial presided over by Harare magistrate Blessing Mafukidze.
The court heard that Mutambanengwe’s elaborate scheme involved using crutches to pretend he was physically disabled, a deception that allowed him to gain sympathy, trust, and access to restricted areas in hospitals and clinics. Once inside, he stole valuable items, including laptops and mobile phones, from doctors and nurses who were busy attending to patients.
His crimes came to light after a key incident at Health Point Hospital in Harare on September 9 of the previous year. According to court testimony, a doctor had locked his office before rushing out to handle an emergency. Seizing the opportunity, Mutambanengwe posed as a patient in distress and slipped into the room, stealing a Pro Book laptop.
“The complainant returned later and noticed that his laptop was missing. He then reviewed the CCTV footage and observed the convict carrying his laptop,” the investigating officer told the court.
The CCTV footage became a turning point in the investigation, capturing Mutambanengwe in the act and revealing his method of exploiting compassion to commit theft.
His pattern continued. Just two weeks later, on September 25, he struck again, this time at Avondale Clinic. Prosecutor Mercy Marange said Mutambanengwe entered during visiting hours, pretending to be a legitimate visitor. “He went straight to the reception room, where he stole a Samsung A13 cellphone from the table and went away,” Marange told the court.
The theft was discovered when the employee returned to find her phone missing. A similar incident took place at Southland Regional on October 24, 2024, where a Samsung Nokia G21 belonging to health worker Vongai Makotore was stolen in the same manner.
Following multiple thefts, police launched a manhunt that eventually led to Mutambanengwe’s arrest. On October 12 this year, he made a full confession, even taking police to several of the crime scenes to demonstrate how he executed his schemes.
The State prosecutor described his conduct as “calculated and ruthless,” saying, “The convict entered the premise pretending as a visitor and went to the reception where he stole the cell phone that was on the table and went away.”
With his eight-year sentence, the Harare Magistrates’ Court made it clear that exploiting the goodwill of healthcare workers, especially those serving the sick and vulnerable, will not be tolerated. The ruling serves as a stern warning to others who may seek to prey on compassion for criminal gain.
