adminMarvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
TWO people, one of them a juvenile, have been arrested for allegedly ransacking the scene of a recent helicopter crash in Gwanda and stealing two Nokia cellphones and 1,600 rand cash.
The owner of the helicopter Christian Malila Ndou, who was flying alone died on the spot in Maphani area, about 6km from Gwanda Town.
While others were busy trying to rescue the victim, the juvenile, 17 and Hardlife Tavona Mupaneshure, 27, decided to steal. The two appeared before Gwanda magistrate Sheila Nazombe yesterday charged with theft and pleaded guilty.
“I picked two cellphones from the crash site and shared the property with Mupaneshure after he suggested that we share it.
“We did not know that would amount to committing an offence,” said the juvenile, whose details were withheld for legal reasons.
“We then met someone who had picked some cash. He gave us 800 rand each so that we keep quiet about it. I then proceeded home and told my mother about the cash and property I had picked and she indicated that I must return it as she did not want to see it in her homestead. I then returned the cash to a distance of about 30 metres from the crash site but kept the cell- phone.”
Mupaneshure told the court that he bought a satchel, a battery charger, cellphone battery and earphones using the loot.
“I bought earphones because I wanted to listen to some music from the phone but unfortunately I did not manage to listen to the music as we were apprehended and the cellphones were taken away,” he said.
Nazombe remanded the two in custody to today for judgement.
Prosecuting, Jefta Nyikadzinashe said on January 11, 2014 the accused went to the scene in the company of Khulani Makaza, who is on the run.
Indications are that some of Ndou’s property was scattered in the bush close to the scene.
“The accused persons rushed to the crash site and found property which included two Nokia cellphones, Vodacom Sim cards, unknown amount of cash and a torch. The accused stole property and cash and shared it among themselves. The two accused persons got 800 rand each.
“Makaza, who is still at large, took the remainder of the cash. The amount has not been established,” said Nyikadzinashe.
Police received a tip off and a search was conducted at the accused persons’ places of residence leading to the recovery of some of the stolen property and that which was bought using the stolen money.
Malila Ndou was buried at his rural home in Beitbridge under Chief Sitauze on Saturday.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter