Online Reporter
Trish Mukwazo
A MORNING joyride turned disaster for 42-year-old Jonathan Mpofu after he allegedly stole a Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus and crashed it into a wall while fleeing police.
Mpofu, from New Lobengula suburb, appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Mark Dzira on Friday facing charges of theft of a motor vehicle, driving without a licence, and reckless driving. He was remanded in custody to 15 September.
According to prosecutor Siphiwe Mhlanga, Mpofu stole the vehicle around 5AM on 6 September in Emakhandeni. “Mr Lewis Ndlovu had left his vehicle running with the keys in the ignition while collecting cleaning materials inside his house. The accused took advantage of the unattended vehicle and drove it away,” she said.
Mpofu’s joyride soon hit trouble. Lacking a valid driver’s licence and reportedly driving recklessly while trying to evade arrest, he smashed the van into a precast wall at a house in Emakhandeni, leaving the vehicle extensively damaged.
The court heard that the Hiace, valued at US$7 000, was left wrecked in the aftermath of the daring theft.
