Mzilikazi car thief gets 10yrs

Thandeka Moyo Court Reporter
A MAN, who on Tuesday stole a vehicle in Bulawayo’s Mzilikazi suburb and crashed it into a tree, has been jailed for 10 years. Keith Ndarangwa, 28, is a serial carjacker who was released from prison in February this year, after serving seven years for the same offence. The jailbird crashed a Toyota Raum with the police Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS) hot on his tail and residents throwing stones at the speeding vehicle.

He begged regional magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze not to send him back to jail. “My wife ran away from me and I need to look after my child aged six. I don’t know what got into my mind as I just saw myself driving off with a stolen vehicle,” he said in mitigation.

Magistrate Msipa-Marondedze however rebuked Ndarangwa for being an unrepentant criminal who took pride in stealing people’s cars.

“Accused is a second offender who deserves a break from the community. His sentence must also deter like-minded would-be criminals and prove that crime doesn’t pay,” she said.

“Accused is therefore sentenced to 10 years imprisonment,” said magistrate Msipa-Marondedze.

Prosecuting Paida Zengeni told the court that George Kasaira, 37, parked his vehicle outside his house and went in leaving the keys in the ignition and windows open.

“Ndarangwa emerged from nowhere and got into the car and sped off. When Kasaira noticed that his car was being reversed by a stranger, he alerted other residents and they contacted members of the Vehicle Theft Squad,” said Zengeni.

The court heard that the vehicle had a 20kg mealie-meal bag which Ndarangwa sold for $5 claiming he wanted to change a burst tyre.

“Ndarangwa was finally caught by VTS when he rammed into a tree. He opened the car doors and took to his heels, but was caught and taken to the police station”