Carjacker crashes into tree

Whinsley Masara Chronicle Reporter
A carjacker is suspected to have sustained severe head injuries after he rammed into a tree as he tried to escape from police on Tuesday afternoon in Bulawayo.

Keith Ndarangwa crashed the Toyota Raum that he had stolen after he was startled by members of the Vehicle Theft Squad who were hot on his back and residents chasing and throwing stones at the speeding vehicle.

Bulawayo Metropolitan police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said the incident occurred at around 4 PM on Tuesday.

“I confirm that a man parked his vehicle outside his home at Mzilikazi suburb with ignition keys on and windows open. After a few minutes he saw the car being reversed by someone and it sped off. He reported the matter and the Vehicle Theft Squad chased after him and found the car abandoned in Nguboyenja slammed into a tree. We’ve arrested the man,” she said.

Inspector Simango warned motorists never to leave their ignition keys on and windows of their vehicles opened.

George Kasaira, 37, of Mzilikazi Suburb told The Chronicle that he arrived at his home with his mechanic and went inside just to drink some water.

“In less than a minute as we walked out, my kids who were playing outside ran to me and said someone was driving my car.

“For a moment I actually searched for my car in my pocket out of confusion.

“When I ran to the gate, I saw someone speeding off, hitting hard on a sewage tank which I suspect caused a tyre burst because when we recovered the vehicle, the carjacker had changed the front tyre with my spare one,” said Kasaira.

He said noone seemed to identify the man in his neighbourhood although he claimed to be from there. He said he was amazed that despite the chase the thief had time to change the burst tyre.

“He put the spare one that I had. Unfortunately, he crashed into a tree. He hit a tree and he also hit hard onto the windscreen with his head. I’m sure of that because there was lots of hair there,” he said.

Kasaira was thankful to his neighbours who participated in the chase and distracted the carjacker which forced him to dump the vehicle and take to his heels.

“The VTS chased after him and he was arrested. We suspect the man incurred serious head injuries because of the damage on the windscreen, where he actually left a lot of his hair.”