Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Court writer
THE trial of a man accused of disappearing with a Toyota Fortuner GD6 valued at US$25,000 has begun at the Bulawayo regional court.
Obrien Nyambirai Madzokere appeared on Wednesday before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube, facing a charge of theft.
He is represented by his lawyer, Mr Tinashe Tashaya.
In his defense, through Mr Tashaya, Madzokere denied taking the vehicle from the car sale and claimed there was no communication indicating that he had taken it.
Testifying, the complainant, Ms Patience Musonza said: “I gave the accused person an affidavit to go and collect my vehicle from the car sale in Beitbridge. After collecting it, he sent me a WhatsApp message informing me that he had collected the car and was in possession of it. He promised to bring the car but up to date he has not yet delivered it.”
Prosecuting, Mr Sehliselo Khumalo told the court that in August 2022, Ms Musonza engaged Madzokere to assist her in purchasing a vehicle, specifically a Toyota Fortuner GD6.
“After a couple of days, Madzokere called Musonza and told her that there was a car dealer named Rawland Machona who was selling a Toyota Fortuner GD6 at his car sale in Beitbridge,” said Mr Khumalo.
Later the same day, Machona contacted Musonza, confirming he was selling the vehicle. He allegedly sent her pictures and videos of the car, and Musonza decided to proceed with the purchase.
The court heard that the car was priced at US$25,000, which Musonza gave to Madzokere after signing an agreement of sale he had forwarded to her. She also signed an affidavit authorizing Machona to release the vehicle to Madzokere so he could deliver it to her.
However, Madzokere allegedly collected the vehicle and never delivered it before disappearing.
Detectives from the Vehicle Theft Squad arrested him last Tuesday after receiving a tip-off that he had resurfaced in Beitbridge, reportedly arriving from South Africa, where he had stolen a BMW.
The matter was postponed to today for continuation of the trial.
MATTER OF FACT
On November 4, 2025, on our website, we published an article titled; “Serial car thief arrested in Beitbridge after vanishing with $25 000 Fortuner” and erroneously used the picture of Obriel Kamurai Nyambirai, instead of the accused, Obrien Nyambirai Madzokere.
We sincerely apologise to Obriel Kamurai Nyambirai for the error and any embarrassment and inconvenience caused.
Bongani Ndlovu