CID boss seeks discharge over abuse of office charges

Toyota Hilux double cab valued at US$27 000 to Kwekwe businessman Shepherd Tundiya who had bought it from a Harare car dealer.

Det Sgt Sibanda said it was communicated to Gwandu that there were 10 such stolen South African registered vehicles and Toyota South Africa and its clients were making follow ups.

Of the 10 vehicles, Det Sgt Sibanda said two were in Gweru including the one which was released to Mr Tundiya by Gwandu.

The court heard that releasing the stolen vehicle showed favour to Mr Tundiya since Gwandu had information to the effect that the vehicle had been stolen and smuggled into the country.

Det Sgt Sibanda said: “There are 10 such vehicles stolen in South Africa which are being tracked by Toyota South Africa. Two of these vehicles are in Gweru and the others are scattered around the country.

“We had made an appointment with Toyota South Africa together with its customers whose vehicles were stolen from them so that they come and identify the vehicles for possible repatriation to South Africa. This vehicle in question was supposed to be released to Toyota South Africa instead of Tundiya.”

The State alleges that on December 14, last year, Gwandu released a Toyota Hilux valued at US$27 000, which was confiscated from Mr Tundiya after it was discovered that it had been stolen from South Africa.

Allegations are that Mr Tundiya, who had been arrested on October 16 last year in connection with the motor vehicle, was acquitted at the Gweru Magistrates Court on December 13.

The following day Gwandu allegedly released the stolen vehicle to the businessman without following due procedure.

The State further alleges that the car was stolen in South Africa from one Thomas Blom of CMH Toyota and was being investigated by Alberton Police Station in South Africa under case number 233/11/2017.

The State said the vehicle was supposed to be handed to South African police but the accused person handed it to Mr Tundiya.

TWO men from Bulawayo have each been sentenced to 24 months in prison for breaking into a house in Emakhandeni suburb and stealing various items worth more than $19 000.

Divine Zungele (23) of Cowdray Park suburb connived with Lesley Dhlamini (21) of the same suburb and stole from Ms Evelyn Mudenda (37) while she was away.

Some of the stolen property includes a plasma television, a cellphone, rings, stationery and various groceries.

Zungele and Dhlamini pleaded guilty to unlawful entry into premises and theft when they appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Jeconiah Ncube.

Mr Ncube sentenced each of them to 24 months in prison and four months were suspended from each sentence for five years on condition that each of the men does not commit a similar offence within that period.

“The remaining 20 months in prison are

TWO boys were struck and killed by lightning in Hwange while collecting wild fruits.

Matabeleland North acting police spokesperson Sergeant Namatirai Mashona confirmed the incident which occurred in Kamativi, Gale 4 Village, under Chief Pashu on Monday at about 3PM. She identified the deceased as Ponoza Muleya (8) and Shibbo Muleya (4).

Sgt Mashona said the two were with another juvenile, Vigilant Muleya (6), who was also struck but only sustained minor injuries.

“On 23 February at around 3PM, the trio went to a bush about 300m from their homestead looking for wild fruit.

It started raining and there was lightning. In fear of thunderstorms and lightning, the father, Khumbulani Muleya, sent his son, Akili (11) to the bush to call the juveniles,” she said.

Sgt Mashona said Akili found the juveniles lying motionless with Vigilant struggling to stand up. He rushed home to alert his father who proceeded to the bush and found the two lying on the ground under the umunyii tree whose branch had also been struck by lightning.

Vigilant told his father that they had been struck by lightning.

A report was made to the police who attended the scene and noted slight burns on the bodies. @Zikhali_jay