Police officer convicted of selling client’s vehicle

Benyure, who was the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe, testified under oath that he was representing the council in criminal proceedings, knowing this was false.

Prosper Dembedza-Herald Correspondent

A Police officer stationed at Harare Central Police Station has been convicted of theft of trust property after he sold a vehicle he was given by a client to repair.

Simbarashe Ndungwa denied the charges when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje.

In convicting Ndungwa, Mr Mambanje said the State, led by Mrs Shambadzeni Fungura, managed to prove a prima facie case against the accused.

Mr Mambanje deferred the matter to today for sentencing.

It was the State’s case that during the period running from December 2023 and January 29, 2024, the complainant gave Ndungwa his Toyota Hiace to carry out some repairs.

The court heard that Ndungwa later sold the Toyota Hiace to Tashinga Choko without the complainant’s knowledge.

The complainant made numerous efforts to get in touch with Ndungwa. However, all his efforts were futile.

On February 14, 2024, Ndungwa was arrested by police detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department Vehicle Theft Squad Harare.

The accused was interviewed and could not give a satisfactory explanation of where the vehicle was.

He also could not produce an agreement of sale with the complainant.

It was the State’s case that Ndungwa then voluntarily led detectives to the recovery of the Toyota Hiace from Choko.

The total value of the stolen vehicle is US$3 500 and it was recovered.