Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A 40-YEAR-OLD Chitungwiza man appeared in court yesterday charged with motor vehicle theft and the sale of its components.
Tapiwa Chitekeshe appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa, who granted him US$200 bail and remanded him to May 26 pending finalisation of investigations.
Prosecutor Ms Shambadzeni Fungura told the court that on the evening of July 29, 2024, at around 8pm, Chitekeshe, working in collusion with Gibson Mushaikwa (26) of Eyecourt, Waterfalls, Harare, and Canaan Nyangombe (42) of Nyatsime, Chitungwiza, stole a motor vehicle belonging to the complainant, Forward Makaripe.
The accomplices, who are already on remand in connection with other cases, reportedly went to Makaripe’s residence, where they used unknown means to start his silver Toyota Allex, registration number ADD7458 and drove it away. They removed the vehicle’s wheels. They then sold two complete wheels and two rims, which bore the complainant’s personalised identification marks, to a man identified as Taurai Jafi.
Investigations led to the recovery of two of the stolen wheels, which had been fitted onto a Toyota Raum with registration number ADJ2767.
The vehicle was being driven by Conrad Muneri at the time of recovery. The total value of the stolen property is estimated at US$3 500, but only US$120 worth of the stolen items has been recovered so far.
