Taxi driver kidnapped, driven to Botswana and robbed in cross-border ordeal

A 35-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man accused of teaming up with an accomplice who is still at large to kidnap a taxi driver, rob him of his day’s takings and force him across the border into Botswana has appeared in court.

Ability Tshuma of Cowdray Park appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Shingai Mutiro facing a charge of kidnapping.
He was remanded in custody to August 28 for the continuation of trial.

Tshuma allegedly kidnapped taxi driver Jokonia Matendere after luring him into providing transport for him and his accomplice before the pair allegedly overpowered and robbed him.

The court heard that the two men tied Matendere with ropes, covered his mouth with adhesive tape and placed him in the boot of his Honda Fit before driving him to a bushy area and later across the border into Botswana.

Prosecuting, Mr Owen Mugari told the court that on February 13 last year at around 7PM,

Matendere was driving along the Bulawayo-Tsholotsho Road towards Bulawayo when Tshuma and his accomplice stopped him in Nyamandlovu, pretending to be looking for transport into the city.

“Along the way, the two men informed the complainant that they intended to collect a woman from the Stevens area and transport her to Nyamandlovu Clinic and Matendere complied,” said Mugari.

The court heard that the accomplice later claimed they had missed the turn to their destination and instructed Matendere to reverse.

“As the complainant was reversing, Tshuma jumped out of the vehicle, leaving the front door open and started directing the driver,” said Mugari.

While Matendere was concentrating on reversing, Tshuma’s accomplice allegedly moved to the front seat and grabbed him by the neck.

The two men allegedly produced ropes from a bag, tied Matendere’s hands, covered his mouth with adhesive tape and bundled him into the boot of the vehicle.

Tshuma’s accomplice then allegedly drove the vehicle towards Bulawayo before turning into a bushy area after passing the Cowdray Park turn-off.
The court heard that the two men demanded money from Matendere, who surrendered cash, his cellphone, national identity card and a certified copy of his driver’s licence.

Matendere allegedly managed to escape and run for several metres before falling. The accused persons allegedly recaptured him, tied him up again and forced him back into the vehicle.

The court heard that when Matendere’s wife called his cellphone, the accused persons instructed him to answer and falsely claim that the vehicle had broken down.

The following day, the accused allegedly ordered Matendere to call his wife and instruct her to collect money from his pastor under the false pretence that the funds were needed by mechanics.

The pair later drove towards the Zimnyama area in Plumtree, where they allegedly intended to rob

Tshuma’s girlfriend but failed.

A day later, they allegedly took Matendere to a bushy area and tied him to a tree before abandoning the vehicle after villagers became suspicious and began questioning them about it.

The accused persons later returned and untied him.

“Tshuma then suggested that they cross into Botswana, claiming that he knew someone there who had money. They subsequently abandoned the vehicle and proceeded on foot towards Botswana,” said Mugari.

Upon reaching Botswana, the court heard, the trio allegedly entered a homestead where they found an elderly man.

Matendere was allegedly instructed to tie up the elderly man, which he did, before the group entered the house and stole various items.

The State further alleged that one of the men raped the elderly man’s daughter after she arrived at the homestead.
Matendere then allegedly seized an opportunity to escape to a neighbouring homestead, where he

reported the matter. The occupants alerted Botswana police.

The court heard that on August 14 this year at around 2PM, Matendere spotted Tshuma along Fort Street between 6th Avenue and Leopold Takawira Avenue in Bulawayo.

He immediately alerted police officers from Bulawayo Central Police Station who were on patrol, resulting in Tshuma’s arrest.

Tshuma’s alleged accomplice remains at large.