Quintet caught smuggling stolen car into Zimbabwe

A QUINTET of thieves found themselves in handcuffs after allegedly stealing a Toyota Land Cruiser in South Africa, falsifying documents and attempting to sneak it past authorities into Zimbabwe.

In a statement on X, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said, “John Leseja Mkonto (37) of Johannesburg, South Africa, Sibusiso Mpofu (44) of Nkulumane, Bulawayo, Nwabi Maghawe (39) of Nketa 7, Bulawayo, Raymond Tshabalala (29) of Johannesburg, South Africa and Pholani Nhliziyo (38) of Ndiweni Village, Chief Ndiweni, Bulawayo were arraigned before the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing charges of theft of motor vehicle.
“On the 28th of August 2024, the accused persons stole a white Toyota Land Cruiser in Pretoria, South Africa. In an attempt to conceal the true identity of the motor vehicle, the accused persons fraudulently manufactured a fake South African Registration book as well as a fake Temporary Import Permit in the name of the first accused person. On the 2nd of September 2024, the accused persons smuggled the motor vehicle into Zimbabwe intending to go to Harare. They were intercepted by police officers manning a road block at Featherstone.
“The first accused person who was the driver, upon request by the police officers, produced the fake documents. Police Officers discovered that the purported motor vehicle documents did not tally with the particulars on the motor vehicle. A fake registration number was affixed to the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle registration book was bearing a registration number belonging to a Toyota Hilux. The accused persons were arrested and the motor vehicle was seized. Investigations revealed that the motor vehicle was reported stolen in South Africa on 28 August 2024.”

The suspects were ordered to remain behind bars until 16 September 2024.