Online Reporter
Takunda Gambiza
Herald Correspondent
An ambulance technician and two accomplices stole US$1 260 cash and US$10 airtime from a road accident victim and have now been convicted by a Kwekwe magistrate and sentenced to community service.
Edius Mugonegwa (40), employed by Redcliff Municipality, together with Pride Makamba (25) and Anashe Mukwamba (23), were found guilty of theft after taking the cash and airtime from the injured victim.
According to court proceedings, Mugonegwa responded to a road traffic accident on September 7, along the Kwekwe-Redcliff Road.
While administering first aid, bloodstained cash fell from the victim’s pocket.
Instead of safeguarding it, Mugonegwa, Makamba and Mukwamba stole the money for personal use.
The victim, upon regaining consciousness at Kwekwe General Hospital, discovered his money missing and reported the matter to the police.
Swift investigations by CID Kwekwe led to the arrest of the three suspects, with part of the stolen money later recovered.
Mugonegwa was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, with three months suspended for five years, while the remaining 15 months were set aside for 825 hours of community service.
Makamba and Mukwamba each received 12 months imprisonment, with three months suspended for five years, and nine months converted to 315 hours of community service.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe condemned the abuse of trust, stressing that medical and emergency workers have a duty to protect and assist victims, not exploit them.
“Medical and emergency workers have a duty to protect and assist victims, not exploit them. Such acts of betrayal will not be tolerated,” said the NPA.
