Truck stolen from Murehwa recovered near Mozambiqu...

Truck stolen from Murehwa recovered near Mozambique border

Zim Now Writer

Three men, who hired a truck from Murehwa on the pretext that they intended to transport mining equipment from Buhera and later hijacked the vehicle after assaulting the driver, are being hunted by the police.

The three had hired the truck to ferry mining equipment from Murehwa to Birchenough Bridge before attacking the driver, David Musikavanhu and robbing him of the vehicle.

Provincial police spokesperson for Manicaland, Inspector Nobert Muzondo confirmed the incident, saying the three suspects are still at large.

“On January 18, Mr Musikavanhu was at Murehwa Growth Point when he received a phone call from one of the suspects stating that he wanted to hire a truck to ferry mining equipment from Murehwa to Birchenough Bridge. They met and negotiated before agreeing on US$800 charge. On the same day, one of the suspects called Mr Musikavanhu and told him to receive US$400 from his colleagues in Murehwa as part payment. He was told that he would get the balance at Birchenough Bridge,” he said.

Inspector Muzondo said Musikavanhu left Murehwa with one of the accused persons who gave him US$400.

When they arrived at Birchenough Bridge around 10pm, Insp Muzondo said, the three directed the driver to proceed to Buhera Turn-off to collect the mining equipment.

Along the way, the other two suspects suddenly appeared from the thickets and stopped the vehicle before they started assaulting the driver.

“They tied his hands using ropes and took two cellphones. The suspects drove off from the scene in the truck. Mr Musikavanhu managed to untie himself and made a report at Birchenough Bridge Police Station,” Insp Muzondo said.

Police quickly responded to a tip-off that the truck had been spotted at Chisuma, near the border with Mozambique and intercepted it.

Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspects.