Bulawayo Man Arrested for Stealing Mother's Savings to Gamble on Aviator

A 22-year-old man, McMillan Zimunhu, has been arrested in Bulawayo for stealing his mother's long-term savings of US$10,300 and using the money to gamble on the online game Aviator. The mother, a 48-year-old self-employed woman, had been storing the cash at different hiding places in her house since 2013.

The woman discovered the loss on January 19, 2026, when she attempted to access the cash and found it missing. She immediately reported the matter to the police, who launched an investigation. After interviewing family members, police established that Zimunhu, the woman's second-born son, was responsible for the theft.

According to police, Zimunhu admitted to taking the money on several occasions and using it to gamble on Aviator. "He admitted to having used all his mother's money while gambling and lost it," said Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson.

The police have urged members of the public to avoid keeping large sums of money in their homes, warning that it exposes them to theft. "We advise people to use banking institutions and other secure financial services to safeguard their savings," said Insp Msebele.

The total amount stolen is US$10,300, and police confirmed that nothing has been recovered. Zimunhu is currently in custody, and the case is being investigated further