tawandamusarurwa
Online Reporter
TWO men from Concession who were in the habit of using duplicate car keys and other methods to steal vehicles and motorcycles in and around Mazowe have been jailed an effective five years each.
Moses Nyamhanda Chikohwa (25) and Thomas Taruvinga (32) were convicted for five counts of theft when they appeared before Bindura Magistrate Ruramai Chitumbura.
Prosecutor Ms Victoria Choga said the duo had two cases of theft of motor vehicles, two motorcycles and one count of theft from a motor vehicle.
“On January 20, 2021 during the night, the accused persons went to Timothy Kushora’s residence at Topminers Mine in Mazowe where they unlawfully took the complainant’s black and yellow motorcycle.
“On March 18, 2022, Taruvinga was spotted at Gweshe Township riding the motorcycle; upon confrontation by the complainant, Taruvinga fled, abandoning the motorcycle,” reads part of State’s outline.
Using the same method, Chikohwa and Taruvinga went to Mufenje Farm where they broke the security fence to gain entry and stole a motorcycle on January 3, 2022.
In another case, using a duplicate key, the duo stole a silver Honda Fit (registration number ADN 9686) from another complainant.
The State’s outline reads: “The accused pushed the motor vehicle from the yard and Thomas Taruvinga started and drove away the vehicle to Nyabira.
“On April 11, 2022, Chakohwa and Taruvinga went to Hemistone Farm in Concession where they stole motor vehicle registration book, one 12-volt car battery, front and rear vehicle number plates, vehicle third number plate, current vehicle licence and insurance, all in the name of Knowledge Sixpence.
“On April 13, 2022 during the night, the accused persons went to Mr Japhet Chengeja’s residence at Mazowe Mine Compound where they used a duplicate key to unlock a blue Honda Fit, registration AEP 5585, pushed it from the yard before Chikohwa drove it away.”
On April 16,2022, Moses Chikohwa was found driving the motor vehicle without a rear number plate and was arrested.
The accused was asked to account for his possession of the motor vehicle and he failed to give satisfactory account.
A vehicle search was done, which revealed that the vehicle had been stolen from the complainant and Chikohwa implicated Taruvinga as his accomplice. leading to his arrest.
On the same day (April 16, 2022) ZRP Nyabira found Chikohwa’s brother driving the stolen vehicle and he implicated Chikohwa and his accomplice Taruvinga.
Online Reporter