Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
A 24-year-old man from Houghton Park was arrested on Friday for stealing a truck loaded with ethanol in Waterfalls.
The suspect, Tawanda Timu Zingwanda, jumped into the parked truck after its driver, Simon Samatura (52) of Peasant Investments, left the vehicle idling while he fetched water a few metres away.
Samatura was driving a Scania 440 horsepower truck with registration (AGB 1235) and a trailer registration (AFQ 8501). The vehicle was carrying 42 000 litres of ethanol along 6th Avenue, Parktown–Waterfalls in Harare.
When Samatura arrived at a fuel service station, the engine developed a fault. He parked the truck by the roadside and went to look for water to cool the engine, leaving the vehicle unattended.
On returning, Samatura discovered that the truck had been stolen. He then asked fuel attendants for information and learned that the vehicle was being driven by Zingwanda along Fraiser Road, heading east.
With the assistance of a patrolling police officer, Samatura chased the vehicle and the suspect was eventually arrested.
Harare Provincial Police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the arrest, urging motorists to avoid leaving vehicles with engines running.
“Police arrested a Houghton Park man for car theft in Waterfalls. The fuel truck worth US$100 000 was recovered and the suspect is expected to appear in court soon,” said Insp Chakanza.
