Detective, accomplice on trial for theft of impounded vehicle

A BULAWAYO man accused of conspiring with a police detective to steal an impounded vehicle from a police yard has told the court that he did not know it was illegal to take the car without proper documentation.

Richard Phiri (56) said this during his trial alongside Master Genti (39), a detective in the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna section.

The two accused are appearing before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Mathew Mutiro, facing a charge of theft.
Phiri is represented by lawyer Mr Goodluck Katenaire while Genti is representing himself.

During cross-examination by prosecutor Mr Owen Mugari, Phiri told the court that he went to Drill Hall Police Station after being invited by Genti.

“I arrived at the Drill Hall at around 5PM. Genti gave me the car and when I was driving away I was stopped by a police officer, leading to my arrest,” he said.

Mr Mugari then asked Phiri whether he knew that an impounded vehicle remains under the custody of the officer-in-charge and is treated as an exhibit.

In response Phiri said he was not aware that his actions amounted to a crime.

“I am not well-versed with the law. I went there to take my car and use it. I had no intention of stealing and I believed what Genti told me since he was constantly calling me,” he said.

In his defence, Genti told the court that Phiri had come to the police station merely to check the condition of his vehicle and to change the battery and water.

“We had no intention of stealing it. Phiri was beaten for something he did not do,” he said.
Mr Mugari told the court that the matter arose from Phiri’s arrest on December 18 for allegedly prospecting for gold without a licence.

Following his arrest, his vehicle — a Toyota Hilux — was impounded and kept at Drill Hall Police Station as an exhibit.

The court heard that on Christmas Eve, the two allegedly hatched a plan to take away the vehicle.

“On the night in question, the accused persons proceeded to the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna offices in Bulawayo. At around 9PM, they used duplicate keys to start the engine of the impounded Toyota Hilux and reversed it out of the yard with the vehicle’s lights switched off,” said Mr Mugari.

The plan was allegedly foiled when an alert detective on duty noticed the vehicle being driven out of the police yard and confronted the two accused.

“They failed to give a satisfactory explanation as to why an impounded vehicle was being driven out of the police yard,” said Mr Mugari.

The matter was postponed to March 10 for judgment.
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