Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Mutare Bureau
A DANGAMVURA man has been sentenced to an effective seven years in prison for stealing cars in Mozambique and smuggling them into Zimbabwe for resale in Mutare.
Dickson Nyamura was sentenced to ten years in prison after he was convicted of three counts of theft.
Mutare Provincial Magistrate, Poterai Gwezhira, presided over the matter.
He suspended three years on condition of future good behaviour.
Nyamura will serve seven years behind bars. Nyamura was convicted following a full trial after the court dismissed his defence that the vehicles had been handed to him by an uncle based in Mozambique for resale in Zimbabwe.
Magistrate Gwezhira said cross-border motor vehicle theft is a serious crime that undermines relations between neighbouring countries and causes financial prejudice to innocent vehicle owners.
“The accused person acted with planning and dishonesty, targeting vehicles in a neighbouring country before illegally bringing them into Zimbabwe for personal gain.
“Such offences are serious and require custodial sentences to deter like-minded offenders,” said Magistrate Gwezhira.
The State, represented by prosecutor, Ms Joice Tinarwo, proved that Nyamura stolen three vehicles in separate incidents in Manica province in Mozambique, before bringing them into Zimbabwe through the illegal Burma Valley crossing point.
Bongani Ndlovu