Chipunza faces more car theft charges

BULAWAYO car dealer and socialite Brighton Chipunza has been slapped with additional charges linked to a high-profile car theft case from 2023. Chipunza is now accused of stealing a Toyota Hilux GD6 belonging to former deputy mayor and prominent businessman Mr Gift Banda, which was being used by his daughter last December.

Chipunza was already under investigation for allegedly stealing a South Africa-registered Toyota Fortuner from a car wash on the outskirts of Bulawayo’s central business district before transporting it to Harare, where he attempted to have its chassis number and other evidence removed. Chipunza appeared in court last Friday, where he was charged with the latest case.

Sources close to the investigation revealed that the police had gathered evidence linking Chipunza to the theft of the vehicle, which has a value running into thousands of dollars.

Prosecuting, Mr Dominic Moyo outlined the details of the alleged crime, stating that Chipunza reportedly stole the vehicle on December 24, 2023.

“On December 24, between 1am and 2.40am, the accused went to King’s Kraal restaurant car park located at Cotton Lounge at Bradfield shopping centre. Upon arrival, he approached a parked and locked super white Toyota Hilux GD6 double-cab with registration number AFN 3145. Using the original car keys, which he had stolen from vehicle tracker Liberty Bukhosi Mlambo earlier in 2023, he managed to unlock the car, start the engine, and drive away unnoticed,” Mr Moyo said.

Mr Moyo stated that the original keys were inadvertently left in the glove compartment of Chipunza’s Honda Fit by Mlambo prior to the theft.

“There is a witness who had hired Chipunza’s vehicle temporarily for a week before the theft. Upon returning the car, he forgot to remove the keys for the stolen vehicle from the glove compartment,” Mr Moyo said.

He said the witness later notified Chipunza about the oversight, but he showed reluctance in returning the keys.

“After the theft occurred, the accused failed to surrender the original keys and has yet to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding their whereabouts,” stated Mr Moyo.

As the investigation unfolds, the mounting charges against Chipunza have drawn significant public attention, raising questions about the implications for his business and social standing in the community. The case continues to develop, with the next court date set for December 11, as authorities work to piece together the full extent of Chipunza’s alleged criminal activities.

Last week, a third suspect was arrested in connection with the theft of the South Africa-registered Toyota Fortuner from a car wash. Amen Matayi Ncube (40), of Montrose suburb, briefly appeared before regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza and was remanded in custody until December 11. Ncube will now be jointly charged with Julius Chitunhu from Cranborne suburb in Harare and Chipunza of Famona suburb, who is allegedly at the centre of the crime.

According to the State, on November 18, Ncube, who was in the company of Chipunza, went to The Tunnel Car Wash on the outskirts of the CBD where they allegedly stole the vehicle in question. Ncube allegedly took the vehicle to his place of residence in Montrose where he hid it.

“On 19 November 2024 at around 0030 hours, the accused handed over the stolen motor vehicle to the hired driver who took it to Harare for disposal where it was eventually recovered,” read a court document.

The State is set to summon a witness, who was hired by Chipunza to collect the vehicle from Ncube’s place of residence.

A fortnight ago, Chipunza was denied bail after a Bulawayo magistrate found clear and convincing evidence that he is potentially a flight risk and that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure that he will not interfere with witnesses. The decision was delivered by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mrs Benhilda Chiundura.

The incident has drawn significant public attention, with speculation that Chipunza may be involved in a broader network of car theft activities. The investigation into the vehicle’s theft began when Ms Ncube reported the case to authorities. Using GPS tracking technology provided by a vehicle tracking company, Ms Ncube was able to locate the stolen vehicle. This led law enforcement officers to Harare, where they apprehended Chitunhu, who has since been remanded out of custody on ZiG10 000 bail.

Further investigation revealed a series of WhatsApp messages between Chipunza and a suspected buyer, along with communications involving Chitunhu, suggesting a potential car theft syndicate. The electronic records have placed Chipunza at the heart of the alleged criminal activity.

The incident occurred on November 18 when Ms Ncube entrusted her employee, Jonathan Ngando Thuli, with her Toyota Fortuner to be cleaned at the Tunnel Car Wash. After cleaning the vehicle, Panashe Dube, an employee at the car wash, parked it outside under a tree shed, locking it and taking the keys with him. However, it was missing when Ms Ncube arrived later in the day to collect her vehicle. The staff informed her that the vehicle had been stolen, prompting her to report the crime to the police.

As investigations continue, the case has raised questions about the extent of car theft syndicates in the region and the involvement of individuals like Chipunza in organised criminal activities.