Car theft socialite’s lawyer in no show

THE ongoing trial of suspected car thief, Brighton Chipunza, was yesterday remanded to February 27, after his lawyer failed to pitch up, as he was reported to be preoccupied with another case.

Chipunza is facing charges of stealing a white South African registered Toyota Fortuner from a city car wash late last year.

The case has captured the attention of the city and beyond with many looking forward to its conclusion.

The matter is being presided over by regional magistrate, Mr Joseph Mabeza, while Mr Dominic Moyo is representing the State.

Mr Khulekani Sibanda of Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers represented Chipunza and Amen Matayi Ncube.

Mr Goodluck Katanaire of Mutuso Taruvinga and Mhiribidi Attorneys is representing Julius Chitunhu.

Investigations into the vehicle’s theft were set into motion shortly after the report was lodged by the owner, Ms Silibaziso Ncube, last year.

Ms Ncube, utilising the services of a vehicle tracking company, managed to track the stolen Toyota Fortuner using GPS technology.

The high-tech approach proved vital in pinpointing the location of the vehicle, leading law enforcement officers to Harare, where they apprehended Chitunhu.

The inquiry has unravelled more than just the unfortunate case of a stolen car, as authorities discovered a thread of WhatsApp chats between Chipunza and the suspected buyer.

The electronic records have placed Chipunza at the centre of the alleged crime, hinting at a deeper involvement in a possible car theft syndicate.

According to the State’s case as presented by Mr Moyo, on November 18 at around 10AM, Ms Ncube assigned her employee Jonathan Ngando Thuli (35), to take the vehicle to the Tunnel car wash for cleaning.

Mr Moyo said Dube secured the vehicle by locking all the doors and windows and took the car keys with him to the car wash where he placed them on top of the hoover and continued with his daily duties.

At around 4PM on the same day, Ms Ncube went to the car wash to collect her vehicle and discovered that it was missing.

She inquired with staff, who to her shock revealed that it had been stolen.

The matter was then reported to the police.

Members of the Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS) conducted investigations at the car wash and discovered that CCTV cameras at the facility had been deactivated.

It was established that the stolen motor vehicle had a tracking device affixed to it and effort is being made with the South African tracking company to activate the tracker.

Perimeter checks were done around the vicinity but nothing was found. On November 19 the tracking system indicated that the vehicle was in Harare. The engine chassis number had also been ground off.

Three years ago Chipunza was implicated in a dirty car deal where he was accused of selling a stolen Ford Ranger King cab to another local car dealer.

He was given a BMW 325 Convertible valued at US$10 000 and US$2 500 as a top-up for the Ford Ranger, which was valued at US$12 500.

The vehicle was then discovered to have been stolen after the car dealer tried to sell it.

Chipunza has also been fingered in the theft of a prominent Bulawayo businessman’s daughter’s vehicle, which was stolen in December last year outside a posh leisure establishment.

Car theft remains a significant issue in Zimbabwe, with an alarming rise in incidents reported over recent months.

However, Chipunza has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.