Londile Moyo
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
TWO Botswana nationals who allegedly conspired to steal a Toyota Fortuner valued at R800 000 from a car rental in Durban, South Africa, before fleeing to Zimbabwe, appeared in court.
Tumelo Kahuure (32) and Cash Monhlanka (42), from Gaborone in Botswana, appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube, charged with theft but pleaded not guilty.
The State witnesses, who are based in South Africa, failed to turn up at court, after which the matter was postponed to 28 April.
Mr Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire of Mashayamombe Law Firm is representing Kahuure, while Mr Tawanda Tavengwa is representing Monhlanka.
Prosecutor, Mr Sehliselo Khumalo, said the complainant is Brown Shirley Anne Francis, aged 34 years, residing at number 710 North Coast Road, Durban, employed at AVIS car rental in Durban, South Africa.
“On 16 January 2026, the two accused persons, acting in common purpose with their accomplice Parley Lalethu, who is still at large, connived to steal a motor vehicle.
“The accused persons proceeded to Avis car rental, Durban, South Africa, where they hired a Toyota Fortuner, registration number LZ 64 JG GP, chassis number AHTJA3GS800248366 and engine 1GD5634574, on the pretext that they would return it on 29 January 2026,” said Mr Khumalo.
He told the court that the accused persons did not return the motor vehicle to the owner but instead removed the South African number plate and replaced it with a false Botswana registration number B825 BWT.
“They also erased its original chassis number and replaced it with a false chassis number AHTJA3GS800248719 before crossing the border with the stolen motor vehicle into Zimbabwe,” said Mr Khumalo.
The complainant made several efforts to contact the accused persons with no fruitful result until she made a report to the police.
Investigations were carried out, leading to the arrest of the two accused persons and the recovery of the stolen motor vehicle.
Bongani Ndlovu