adminEmily Mbewe Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO taxi driver, who crashed his vehicle after speeding off with the owner of a house where he had allegedly stolen a laptop, iPad and three smartphones belonging to four National University of Science and Technology (Nust) students, appeared in court yesterday. Witness Hlongwane, 28, of Sizinda pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, theft and unlawful entry when he appeared before magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze.
He was remanded in custody to February 4 for trial and advised to apply to the High Court for bail.
“Your case involves an incident where you deprived a human being of her freedom which is kidnap, so you’ll have to apply to the High Court for bail,” ruled Msipa-Marondedze.
Prosecuting, Taurai Hondoyemoto said between January 17 and 18 this year, Hlongwane unlawfully entered Wonderful Chituzi’s room at a house in Selbourne Park and stole a laptop, laptop bag, a laptop charger and an iPad as well as a mobile phone.
While inside the house, Hlongwane also entered Zvikomborero Mushuku’s room and stole a Samsung galaxy cellphone.
Both Chituzi and Mushuku are students at Nust.
The following day shortly after 2PM, the taxi driver was approached by the owner of the house Lureene Sibanda and she enquired about the stolen laptops.
The court heard that when Sibanda got into Hlongwane’s taxi, he took off at high speed.
“When they reached Bradfield, Hlongwane branched off the road during which his car overturned.
“He then attempted to flee and she screamed for help attracting the attention of members of the public who then apprehended Hlongwane,” said Hondoyemoto.
After the arrest, Hlongwane was found in possession of the stolen property, the court heard.
Online Reporter