Presidential guard guilty of carjacking

A MEMBER of the Presidential guard based in Harare teamed up with a friend to rob a Bulawayo motorist of his vehicle and valuables.

Zvikomborero Sigudu (25) and Knowledge Ganda (21) stole Mr Tichaona Matekenya’s $80 and two cellphones before speeding off in his vehicle.

Regional magistrate Mr Mark Dzira yesterday convicted the duo of carjacking saying the State had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

He remanded them in custody to today for sentencing.

“After considering the evidence that has been brought forward, it is clear that the two committed the offence. Therefore the court finds them guilty as charged,” said Mr Dzira.

On May 5, Sigudu and Ganda hired Mr Matekenya to drive them to Donnington.

They grabbed him along the way and bundled him into the back seat of his vehicle, covered him with a jacket and threatened to stab him.

Prosecuting Mr Tinashe Dzipe, said: “At around 9PM, Sigudu and Ganda approached Mr Matekenya and asked to hire him to take them to the Old CSC Complex in Donnington for $4.

“He drove along Josiah Chinamano Street under the instruction of the two accused persons. Along the way, one of them asked Mr Matekenya to stop so that he could relieve himself,” said Mr Dzipe.

“After relieving himself, he grabbed Mr Matekenya by his neck and they ganged up on him, shoved him into the back seat as they demanded cash and valuables”.

He said the two searched the car and took a phone and $80.

“One of the men drove while the other covered Mr Matekenya with a jacket threatening to stab him if he made any noise. They dumped him in Emganwini suburb and drove off before abandoning the car in Nkulumane.”

Mr Dzipe said police recovered the stolen phone from one Nontobeko Ndlovu who had bought it from Sigudu.

“On June 8, Sigudu was arrested at his workplace in Harare and he implicated Ganda,” said Mr Dzipe.

@thamamoe