Congolese student dupes taxi drivers

A CONGOLESE student at Africa University’s penchant for free taxi rides backfired after one of his alert victims reported him to the police leading to his arrest.

Christian Tutupembi ( 20) was convicted on his own guilty plea when he appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Innocent Bepura last Friday.

He was ordered to pay $50 fine or risk 10 days imprisonment.

Tutupembi pleaded guilty to two counts of making off without payment as defined in Section 117 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9: 23.

Publ ic Prosecutor, Mr Fletcher Karombe, appeared for the State.

Earlier this month, Tutupembi boarded a taxi at Mandisa Night Club in the Central Business District and asked to be ferried to Africa University.

He told the driver that he had no money in person as his money had been stolen in the club and promised to pay upon arrival at the university.

“When they arrived, Tutupembi disappeared into the campus. Last week, he boarded another taxi at MotoMoto and used the same modus operandi, claiming that he would pay the driver after they reached his destination.

“When they arrived at Mac’s in Palmerstone low density suburb, Tutupembi refused to pay for the taxi again, prompting the driver to take him to Mutare Central Police Station where he was arrested,” said Mr Karombe.

In mitigation, Tutupembi insisted that his money was stolen in the club. He said when he boarded the taxi to Africa University, he hoped that his friends at the campus would help him pay.