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Tendai Gukutikwa Weekender Correspondent —
TWO Harare men were arrested on allegations of stealing a motor vehicle from a Mutare man on Christmas Day.
Alan Takudzwa Chigudu (28) and Tinashe Manjengwa (32) of Number 70, Chommy Pitch, St Martins in the capital were not asked to plead when they appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Poterai Gwezhira last Thursday.
They were remanded in custody to January 11, 2017 for trial. Mr Fletcher Karombe prosecuted.
Allegations were that on Christmas Day and at around 1pm, Norman Mutepfa who was in the company of Farai Chitombo parked his Mitsubishi Mini Pajero AAR 4922 at Choppies Supermarket car park along 2nd street in the city.
The pair is alleged to have disembarked from the vehicle, leaving the car keys on the ignition and the windows half closed.
“Chigudu and Manjengwa then hatched a plan to steal the vehicle. They opened the doors and drove off to Murambi where they parked the motor vehicle outside the gates of House Number 16, Vumba Road.
“When Mutepfa and his friend returned, they found the car gone. The matter was immediately reported to Mutare Central Police Station,” said Mr Karombe.
At around 7pm that same day, the two accused persons drove the motor vehicle along the Mutare-Chimanimani Road.
However, upon arrival at a roadblock at Red Cross Mutare, Chigudu who was driving jumped off the car and ran towards a nearby bushy area where he escaped.
Manjengwa was apprehended as he failed to escape.
Mutepfa was invited to the roadblock where he positively identified his vehicle and produced proof that the Mini-Pajero was his.
The following day, a follow up which led to the arrest of Chigudu was made. He was arrested at House Number 51, Chineta, Sakubva.
The pair is facing charges of theft of a motor vehicle as defined under section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
Online Reporter