Online Reporter
Moreblessing Ncube
A SIZINDA man took free-loading to a new level after hiring a taxi, running the meter up to US$30 and disappearing without paying.
Thembani Chipere (25), now earning himself the moniker Mr Meter Dodger, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Vimbai Chirai after he allegedly pulled a disappearing act on a cabbie.
His stunt reportedly left the taxi driver fuming and muttering unprintable words in the early morning breeze.
Chipere pleaded guilty, telling the court he simply had no money. The magistrate was clearly not amused by his creative budgeting skills and remanded him out of custody until tomorrow morning for sentencing.
Prosecutor Joseph Rugara told the court that on 7 December at around 5AM in the city centre, Chipere approached driver Paul Chigari and ordered what sounded like a luxury grand tour for the price of a bargain.
He wanted to go from the city to Magwegwe, then swing via Sizinda and back to town again. The fare was set at US$30, a price the taxi driver happily agreed to because Christmas is coming and that kind of trip fills the tank and the pockets.
But alas, Mr Meter Dodger had other ideas.
“After providing the services, the accused failed to pay the taxi driver as per their agreement,” said Rugara, leaving the court shaking heads at the classic case of champagne trips on a water budget.
Out of the total amount involved, according to the prosecutor, nothing has been recovered. Not a cent. Not even a promissory note.
Chigari was left circling the city looking for his runaway passenger, possibly regretting why he agreed to a route that read like a kombi timetable.
Some Sizinda residents told B-Metro they were not surprised Chipere duped a cabbie as he always had “that look of a man who wants premium rides on pocket money problems.”
Mr Meter Dodger will learn his fate tomorrow, and taxi drivers across the city will be watching closely, hoping the sentence delivers a loud message to all would-be fare fugitives.
