Greater Gaborone Honda Fit thefts surge, owners warned
Pini Bothoko | Wednesday July 16, 2025 13:58
The warning comes after yet another Honda Fit was stolen last weekend, adding to a growing list of similar cases in which the stolen cars are rarely recovered.
According to the police, thieves are believed to be operating in a well-organised syndicate that primarily targets Honda Fits, especially those parked at entertainment spots such as bars and nightclubs.
No.13 District Officer Commanding, Senior Superintendent Obusitswe Lokae, told The Monitor that investigations are underway following the latest incident in which a 35-year-old man’s Honda Fit was stolen whilst parked outside United Lounge on Saturday night.
“The victim had parked his vehicle and gone into the club. But when he came out in the early hours of Sunday morning, the car was gone,” Lokae explained.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the culprits may have mastered a method of unlocking and starting Honda Fit cars without the use of original keys.
“It looks like there is a syndicate targeting Honda Fit cars, and they seem to have developed a way of opening and starting the vehicles without the keys,' he said.
“We have not yet identified where these stolen vehicles are being taken to, but we suspect that there may be a hidden location where they are stripped and sold for parts.'
Lokae added that police have intensified investigations and are working tirelessly to identify and arrest those behind the thefts.
In addition to Honda Fit cars, Lokae said other small cars such as Mazda Demios are also increasingly targeted, likely due to the high demand for their spare parts.
“We urge all vehicle owners, especially those driving Honda Fit and Mazda Demio models, to take extra precautions. Avoid leaving vehicles in poorly lit or unguarded areas and consider installing additional anti-theft devices,” he advised.
Police have appealed to the public to report any suspicious activities around parking lots or vehicle gatherings, particularly during weekends.
Anyone with information that may assist in tracing the stolen vehicles or identifying the culprits is urged to contact the nearest police station.