Armed Robbery Suspect Steals Car, Later Abandons...

Armed Robbery Suspect Steals Car, Later Abandons It After Accident

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

A man involved in a robbery, where the complainant's car was stolen and later abandoned following a road accident, has appeared in court.

Kelvin Kavhukatema, 25, of Beatrice Cottage, was arraigned before the Harare Magistrates' Court facing charges of motor vehicle robbery. He is set to appear again on October 22.

According to the State, the incident took place on September 18, 2024. Kavhukatema, along with four accomplices identified only as Tarryman, Tinashe, Junior Mutetwa, and Tafadzwa Mafana, approached the complainant, Gift Tarakunyu, at Kuwadzana 2 Shopping Centre in Harare. Tarakunyu was parked in his Toyota Sienta, which he uses as a pirate taxi.

The group hired Tarakunyu to transport them to Kuwadzana Extension for an agreed fare of US$10. However, upon reaching a bridge near Kuwadzana Extension along the Harare-Bulawayo Road, one of the suspects, who was seated behind the driver, grabbed Tarakunyu by the neck and ordered him to stop.

One of the robbers then brandished a large knife and stabbed Tarakunyu twice behind his left ear, causing deep wounds. They proceeded to search him, stealing his Samsung A48 phone and US$30, before dumping him by the roadside and driving off in his car.

The accused allegedly drove the stolen vehicle to Overspill, Epworth. However, they lost control of the car, which veered off the road and plunged into a ditch.

After the accident, the group abandoned the vehicle at the scene but took the car's battery with them. The car sustained extensive damage to the front fender and the rear driver's side door.

On October 2, detectives received a tip-off from members of the public, leading to Kavhukatema's arrest.

He subsequently implicated his accomplices, who remain at large.