Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku
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A BOTSWANA national accused of stealing a vehicle in South Africa and bringing it into Zimbabwe has been acquitted after a Bulawayo court ruled that the State failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Cash Karabo Monhlanka was jointly charged with fellow Botswana national Tumelo Kahuure over the alleged theft of a Toyota Fortuner valued at R800 000 from a car rental company in Durban, South Africa.
Monhlanka appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube, who on Tuesday found him not guilty and discharged him.
In his ruling, Mr Ncube said the State had failed to provide sufficient evidence linking Monhlanka to the alleged theft of the vehicle.
“Monhlanka, in his defence, told the court that he bought the car from an agent, and the State failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused stole the car. The accused is mandated to provide a defence, and there is no evidence from the State to prove that the accused did not buy the vehicle from the agent,” said Mr Ncube.
Monhlanka was represented by Mr Tawanda Tavengwa of Mvundla Tavengwa Solicitors, while Kahuure, who was acquitted in the matter recently, was represented by Mr Simbarashe Innocent Madzivire of Mashayamombe Law Firm.
According to the State, Monhlanka and Kahuure, together with an accomplice who is still at large, allegedly hired the Toyota Fortuner from a car rental company in Durban on January 16 this year.
The vehicle was reportedly due to be returned on January 29.
Prosecutors alleged that instead of returning the vehicle, the accused removed the original South African registration plates and replaced them with false Botswana number plates.
The State further alleged that the chassis number was altered before the vehicle was driven into Zimbabwe.
The vehicle was later recovered following investigations by law enforcement authorities.
However, after hearing evidence presented during the trial, the court ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish beyond reasonable doubt that Monhlanka had participated in the alleged theft of the vehicle.
The acquittal follows a similar ruling in favour of Kahuure, bringing to a close the prosecution of the two Botswana nationals in the matter.
The alleged accomplice remains at large.
