adminMidlands Bureau
A ZVISHAVANE motorist paid the price for trusting strangers when a man he recently picked up on the highway turned violent and assaulted him heavily with a log until he lost consciousness and drove off with his truck, a Mazda B1600.
The motorist, 57-year-old Morgan Takaendesa, also lost cash amounting to $72 and his Nokia cellphone.
Takaendesa regained consciousness after some time and hobbled to Mberengwa Police Station – a distance of about 10km – where he reported the matter.
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, confirmed the incident, which occurred in Zvishavane Town on Thursday at about 1.30am.
He said Takaendesa was driving his Mazda truck, registration number AAL 5069.
Insp Mahoko said:
“On the said day and time, Takaendesa was hired by a male adult who is the suspect in this case, from the Zvishavane Central Business District to Neta Business Centre in Mberengwa. When they got to a bushy area in Neta, the suspect told Takaendesa to stop the vehicle and he complied. The suspect got out of the truck, purportedly to answer his cellphone and Takaendesa also disembarked to check on the engine.
While Takaendesa was checking the engine, the suspect came from behind and struck him several times on the head with a log until he became unconscious.”
He said the suspect went on to search Takaendesa and took his cellphone and cash.
Insp Mahoko said the suspect drove away Takaendesa’s truck towards the Mbalabala-Zvishavane highway.
“Takaendesa later regained consciousness and proceeded to Mberengwa where he made a report of the case on the same day. The scene was attended to and no arrest has been made so far. Investigations are still in progress,” said the Midlands police spokesperson.
Police are appealing to members of the public who might have information on the whereabouts of the suspect to contact the nearest police station to them or make use of their suggestion boxes dotted around the country.
Online Reporter