Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Peter Matika, [email protected]
THE trial of Bulawayo socialite, Brighton Chipunza, for allegedly stealing a South African-registered Toyota Fortuner from a car wash in the city centre last year has finally kicked off.
The trial, presided over by Bulawayo magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza, heard testimonies from three key witnesses linking Chipunza to the crime.
Miss Silibaziso Ncube, the complainant and first witness, told the court that she had assigned Mr Jonathan Ngando Thuli to take the vehicle to Tunnel Car Wash for cleaning on November 18 last year.
Mr Thuli left the vehicle with Mr Panashe Dube, who works at the car wash, and Mr Dube cleaned and parked it outside.
However, when Ms Ncube went to collect the vehicle at 4pm, she found it missing.
After inquiring with the staff and learning that her car had been stolen, she reported the matter to the police.
The second witness, Mr Thuli, corroborated Ms Ncube’s account, confirming that he had left the vehicle with Mr Dube.
The third witness, Mr Nkosi Moyo, alleged that Chipunza hired him to drive the stolen vehicle from Bulawayo to Harare.
Mr Moyo recounted how Chipunza collected him at midnight from his residence in Emakhandeni and drove to Montrose, where the vehicle was stashed.
He was given the keys and instructed to deliver the vehicle to Chipunza’s co-accused, Julius Chitubhu, in Harare.
“I was in the company of my younger brother, who on that particular day was not feeling well,” he said.
“We were supposed to travel together but he couldn’t due to his condition. After I was given the keys to the car I asked to be escorted to town as I am not familiar with the neighbourhood.
“We then passed through Bradfield and poured fuel in the vehicle at a certain garage. Thereafter, I was escorted to Harare Road and given instructions as to what to do when I arrived in Harare,” said Mr Moyo.
The prosecution’s case relies on WhatsApp chats between Chipunza and the supposed buyer, as well as his accomplice in Harare.
The vehicle was recovered from Chitubhu’s yard in Harare with the help of a vehicle tracking company and police detectives. Its front and rear number plates were missing and the engine chassis number ground off.
A grinder, stencils, acid, and spray paints were found in the vehicle, linking Chitubhu to the crime.
Members of the Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS) checked the car wash and found that the CCTV at the facility had been deactivated.
The trial is expected to continue on February 11.
Online Reporter