Gwabalanda man steals car at ZITF

Mthokozisi Ncube

A 21-YEAR-OLD Gwabalanda man allegedly stole a Mazda Verisa which had been parked at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds in Bulawayo and painted the town red at Chigumira Shopping Centre in the vehicle.

Emmanuel Ncube reportedly stole the vehicle last Wednesday after the owner left it outside Hall 2 while attending to business inside the hall.

Bulawayo police deputy spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu said the incident happened on September 9 at about 7.40pm.

The complainant parked his red Mazda Verisa at Hall 2 and closed all the doors before entering the exhibition hall.

However, he left the vehicle unlocked, with the keys placed on the right door panel.

“He returned after about 30 minutes and discovered that his motor vehicle had been stolen,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.

The complainant reported the matter to the police at about 8.40pm, triggering a city-wide probe into the disappearance of the vehicle.

Investigations led Ncube who was painting the town red at Chigumira Shopping Centre at about 9pm, about an hour and 20 minutes after the vehicle was discovered missing.

Ncube was dancing the night away like a tycoon, without a care in the world.

“The accused person was located at Chigumira Shopping Centre at around 2100 hours, where he was searched and found in possession of the stolen car keys,” said Assistant Inspector Ndlovu.

“The stolen vehicle was also found parked outside the sports bar leading to the arrest of the accused person,” she said.

Assistant Inspector Ndlovu also said the suspect had previously been alleged to have mistakenly entered a white Toyota Wish while in a drunken state.

The circumstances surrounding that earlier incident were not immediately clear.

Police have since arrested Ncube in connection with the alleged theft of the Mazda Verisa.

He is expected to face charges of theft of a motor vehicle.

Asst Insp Ndlovu urged motorists to secure their vehicles and avoid leaving car keys in easily accessible places, particularly in public parking areas.