Two men charged for receiving stolen vehicle

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

Two men have been charged with receiving a stolen car. Hardlife Makwarimba, 49, from Goromonzi, and Winock Hahlani, 52, from Waterfalls, alongside Lenono Homodza, 40, from Lochnivar, appeared before the Harare Magistrate’s Court facing accusations of receiving stolen property.

The State alleges that on August 30, 2024, a 2019 Toyota Hilux was stolen in Tidmalo Ward Serowe, Gaborone, Botswana, through armed robbery.

Following the robbery, Botswana Police arrested Mmilili Chiche, 27, from Tutume Village, and Morapedi Modimopelo, 36, from Madisakwana Ward Tonota.

The court heard that Chiche and Modimopelo implicated Makwarimba as the person who received the stolen vehicle.

On September 14, 2024, detectives from CID Homicide arrested Makwarimba in Harare. It was established that Makwarimba, in collaboration with Hahlani, traveled to Plumtree, Zimbabwe, where they met Modimopelo and Chiche, along with three other males known to Modimopelo.

The group received the Toyota Hilux and proceeded to Harare.

Makwarimba secured accommodation in Waterfalls for the group, awaiting a potential buyer. The group from Botswana eventually returned to their country due to a lack of funds.

On September 13, Homodza purchased the car for $7,800 from Makwarimba and Hahlani in Waterfalls, Harare.

Homodza later led to the recovery of the Toyota Hilux at 2520 Glenview 7, Harare, where it had been parked for safekeeping.

The vehicle had been fitted with Zimbabwean registration plates, AGA 4392, which were provided by Makwarimba and Hahlani.

However, checks with the Central Vehicle Registration revealed that these plates were originally registered to an Audi A4, owned by Masasa Stock Brokers, 6th Floor Blue Bridge, Eastgate.