A 20-year-old man from Bulawayo has been sentenced to four years in prison after he was convicted of stealing a vehicle belonging to National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).
The vehicle, a Mazda B2200, was being used by the company’s senior internal auditor Zororo Nechaziva (38) of Mbundane suburb.
Nechaziva had parked the vehicle at Parkade Center building before he went to his home after work.
The court heard Nechaziva’s car had a faulty key port so he would shove his hand through the window to force open the door and the vehicle also used hot wiring as it also had a faulty ignition.
Kudzai Ndebvudzembudzi (20) was convicted of his own plea after he admitted to an offence of theft of a motor vehicle.
Bulawayo magistrate Mafios Moyo suspended two years from his sentence, leaving Ndebvudzembudzi with an effective two years.
“Accused person is a youthful first offender who pleaded guilty to the offence and deserves a second chance. Two years of the sentence will be suspended for the next five years on condition he does not commit a similar offense,” said the magistrate.
Prosecuting, Mufaro Mageza said on November 24, at 5 PM, Nechaziva manually locked and parked his car at a parking lot at Parkade centre located at Corner Fife street and 9th Avenue.
“Nechaziva left the driver’s window not close fully as he wanted to use it to open his car. The ignition port in the car was not functioning and his car operated using hot wiring,” said Mageza.
“At 7 PM, Ndebvudzembudzi went to where the car was parked. He opened the door through the window and started the car by means of hot wiring. He sped off, hitting the gate and dragging it a few meters into George Silundika Street.”
Mageza said Manifest security officers who were on duty tailed him and intercepted the car when it had stopped at an intersection between George Silundika Street and Simon Muzenda Avenue.
“Police officers in civilian clothes had also arrived at the scene. Nechaziva realised that the car was stolen the following day when he wanted to use it in the afternoon and guards on duty advised him to go to the police,” said Mageza.
“On arrival at CID Vehicle Theft Squad Bulawayo, Mr Nechaziva identified his vehicle by its number plate. The windscreen was damaged on the top left side.”
