Panel beating worker steals client’s car, dumps it in Nketa after it runs out of fuel

A 24-year-old Bulawayo man appeared in court on Friday charged with theft of a client’s motor vehicle after he took it from the workshop without the owner’s consent.

Polite Ndlovu of Westgate NRZ compound appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira, facing a charge of theft of motor vehicle as defined in Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was remanded in custody to March 23.

The complainant, Blessing Gombe, is self employed as a panel beating operator at BBG Panel Beaters CSC Complex in Bulawayo.

Prosecuting, Ms Hazel Ncube said on March 5, 2026 the complainant received a silver Mercedes-Benz from the owner Siduduzile Sibanda for re-spraying.

Gombe then assigned the accused person to work on the Mercedes Benz. On the same day they knocked off duty leaving the vehicle parked outside the workshop secured with locked doors and closed windows, the court heard.

“They left the car keys in their work shop inside a damaged refrigerator. On March 7 during the night, the accused person got inside the workshop and stole car keys and drove away from the work shop,” said Ms Ncube.

The motor vehicle was recovered dumped in Nketa Bulawayo without car keys. On March 18, information was received leading to the arrest of the accused person at his place of residence and the car keys were recovered from his pocket.

He was asked why he committed the offence and said he had wanted to go on a trip and return the car afterwards but failed after it ran out of fuel and he did not have any money to buy fuel.

Total value stolen is US$7 000 and all was recovered.