Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Crime Reporter
A 29-YEAR-OLD Mutare taxi driver was robbed of his vehicle worth US$5 000 and mobile phone after he was hired by two unknown men to transport them to Penhalonga in what police have described as a carefully orchestrated plot.
The incident has prompted the police to issue a fresh warning to motorists to exercise extreme caution when picking up unknown clients, especially at night.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the robbery on Wednesday, and said investigations are ongoing.
He warned drivers to be vigilant when accepting hires from unknown individuals.
“The incident happened on Monday, at around 10pm when George Ndambu, of Chikanga 2, Mutare, employed as a taxi driver, was approached by two unknown adult males at Mudzviti Taxi Rank,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Ndambu had parked his blue Honda Fit (Registration Number AHA1133), while waiting for customers when the suspects approached him claiming they wanted transport to Penhalonga.
“The accused persons, who are yet to be identified, told Ndambu that they had run out of fuel and had left their own vehicle in Penhalonga. They agreed on a fare of US$40, which they promised to pay upon arrival,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka, adding that the complainant drove the suspects towards the said route, where the situation turned nasty.
“Upon arrival at the business centre where they had asked to be dropped, the suspects told Ndambu that their vehicle was about three kilometres away. He indicated that his own vehicle had insufficient fuel to proceed further. The accused persons offered three litres of petrol to assist Ndambu. During the process of refuelling, they stopped the vehicle, switched it off, and removed approximately five litres of petrol,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said the situation quickly escalated when one of the suspects suddenly turned violent and executed the robbery.
“While Ndambu was still refuelling, one of the suspects disembarked, snatched his mobile phone, pushed him away, and quickly took control of the driver’s seat,” he said, adding that the suspects drove off with the vehicle, leaving Ndambu stranded at the scene.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said Ndambu managed to seek help from a passer-by.
“The complainant borrowed a mobile phone from a passer-by, and contacted his employer, Mr Kundai Maindidze, who reported the matter at ZRP Mutare Central,” he said. Police officers swiftly responded to the report and launched investigations, using a tracking device fitted on the vehicle.
“The vehicle was fitted with a tracker linked to the owner’s mobile phone, and it was tracked to Mutasa DC Business Centre,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka, adding that the stolen vehicle was located near a service station in the area, leading to a confrontation with one of the suspects. Upon arrival, police officers discovered the vehicle parked near Energy Park Service Station. One of the suspects was sitting in the vehicle, but upon seeing the police, he opened the driver’s door and fled,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said police fired warning shots in an attempt to apprehend the suspect, but he escaped while still in possession of the vehicle keys.
“The suspect ran away despite warning shots being fired. He escaped with the keys,” he said. Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said the stolen property amounted to US$5 080, of which US$5 000 was recovered.
The mobile phone remains missing.
“The vehicle was recovered, and Ndambu was not injured. However, investigations are continuing to account for the suspects and the missing phone. We urge motorists to be very careful, especially when being hired by strangers. They must avoid carrying passengers to isolated or risky areas without proper verification,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka further advised drivers to avoid operating alone at night where possible and to ensure that trusted contacts are aware of their movements.
