Minor steals, crashes car

Takudzwa Chiwereweshe Manicaland Correspondent
A 14-year-old boy’s penchant for joyrides ended horribly last week after he lost control of a car he had allegedly stolen and crashed it into a tree. The vehicle reportedly overturned on impact, before landing on its wheels.

The juvenile, who is facing theft charges, is battling for his life at Mutare Provincial Hospital. His name cannot be published because of his age. It is believed that on January 22, at Mandisa Night Club along Herbert Chitepo, the minor allegedly approached Simbarashe Matongo with the intention of hiring a vehicle for the whole day.

Simbarashe Matongo (42), who is a taxi driver, agreed to lease his vehicle – a Honda Fit, registration number AED 3205 – to the minor. The two subsequently proceeded to Mandisa Night Club. While at the nightclub, Matongo, who had to go out to run an errand, left the keys on the ignition, with the minor inside the vehicle.

The boy reportedly drove off along the Mutare-Masvingo Highway. He allegedly lost control of the vehicle and overturned several times before crashing into a tree. When Matongo realised that his vehicle was missing, he filed a police report at Mutare Central Police Station.

He received a call from an unknown person telling him that his vehicle had been involved in an accident at Maraire Business Centre. The accused sustained serious head injuries and was referred to Mutare Provincial Hospital for assessment and treatment. Manicaland police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakowa confirmed the incident.