Man crashes stolen car, gets injured

Zim Now Writer

An unlicensed man, Thulani Tshuma, 22, of Chinotimba suburb in Victoria Falls stole Gilbert Mthokozisi Nkomo’s Toyota Vitz which he had near Chicken Inn restaurant at night and took it for a joyride and booze on Christmas Day.

Nkomo had left the car as he went to drink at Cotton Club nightclub across the road.

Tshuma was, unfortunately involved in an accident that left him hospitalised and the vehicle damaged beyond repair.

Tshuma gained entry into the vehicle by breaking a window after which he hardly drove for two kilometres along Park Way towards Army Chalets, before allegedly losing control of the vehicle, resulting in it overturning and landing on its roof.

He appeared before Victoria Falls resident magistrate Godswill Mavenge who did not ask him to plead to driving without a valid drivers’ licence, negligent driving and malicious damage to property.

Tshuma was remanded in custody to 11 January when he will appear at the Hwange regional court for a possible start of trial.

Audrey Mukanganya, who was prosecuting, said after stealing the car and getting involved in an accident, Tshuma abandoned the vehicle and walked to the nearest council water treatment plant where he was found in the morning lying at the gate.

“On 26 December the complainant parked his motor vehicle, a Toyota Vitz at a car park opposite Chicken Inn and locked the doors before entering Cotton Club nightclub,” said Mukanganya.

The court heard that around 3am, Tshuma went to the car and smashed a left front window and entered the car whereupon he took spare keys on the dashboard and started the vehicle.

He drove the vehicle along Park Way towards Elephant Hills Hotel.

When he approached the hotel turn off, Tshuma lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and overturned, resulting in him sustaining bruises all over the body that led to his admission at Victoria Falls Hospital.

Nkomo only noticed that his car was missing in the morning when he exited the bar and he filed a police report, leading to Tshuma’s arrest on his hospital bed at Victoria Falls Hospital.

Tshuma’s phone and shoes were found in the car which was damaged beyond repair.