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Angeline Mpofu Court Reporter—
A 32-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man was robbed of his cellphone at knife point before being shoved into the boot of the car where he was detained by his assailant for nearly five hours. Bongani Malane of Gwabalanda said he was on his way home from work around 11PM when his assailant, Kelvin Shanga, 24, pounced on him. “He suddenly appeared from a bushy area behind me and demanded cash at knife point. He threatened to kill me if I resisted before searching my pockets and took my C3 cellphone,” said Malane.
He said Shanga dragged him to a car that was parked nearby, opened the boot and ordered him to get inside.
“He pushed me into the boot and closed it. I heard him minutes later slamming the vehicle doors,” said Malane.
He said he was crammed in the boot where he was gasping for air for nearly five hours.
“I eventually shouted for help and started kicking the boot while shouting. It was in the morning when a passerby came to my rescue and opened the boot.
“The man helped me out and I made a report to the police,” said Malane.
Shanga appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Temba Chimiso yesterday charged with theft.
Prosecuting, Ruvimbo Chanduru told how on March 23 around midnight Malane was walking between Mudamburi and Matshayisikova Primary School on his way home when he met Shanga.
“The accused produced a knife, demanded cash from him before searching him and took his cellphone,” said Chanduru. Shanga allegedly bundled Malane into his car boot and closed it. Malane was allegedly rescued by a passerby hours later. The trial continues tomorrow.
Online Reporter