Suspect drops ID at crime scene

Michael Mashiri

An inexperienced thief who tried to his luck but hit a hard rock after leaving his national identity card at the crime scene at Prince Edward High School has appeared in court.

Jonathan Matekenya, 40, of Phase 10 Eastview, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi accused of unlawful entry.

The complainant in the matter is Ronald Chaparadza residing at Prince Edward High School, Harare and is employed by Prince Edward High School domiciled at corner Josiah Tongogara Ave and Princess Road in Harare as a security guard.

The State through Zororai Nkomo, alleges that on May 7, at around 1800 hours, Chaparadza did a routine check of the doors to the squash courts to confirm if they were locked and confirmed they were closed and locked.

At around 0140 hours Matekenya, together with his accomplices who are still at large, used a duplicate key to unlock the squash doors to gain entry into the complainant's squash courts.

While inside, they unlawfully took 2 by solar radio lights and some gas valves.

Chaparadza, who was in company of colleagues doing perimeter checks heard some noise in the squash courts and went to check.

He realised that the squash door was open. They entered and saw the accused persons inside the squash court office and arrested them.

Upon searching them, they recovered 2 solar radio lights and some gas valves.

Matekenya handed over his cellphone and particulars to Chaparadza.

During that process Matekenya’s accomplices came to rescue him driving a cream Toyota Passo with no registration plates and he went into the car which then drove off, leaving his identity particulars, 2 cellphones, 2 bunches of duplicate keys and a left leg brown shoe behind.

Chaparadza then filed a police report and investigations led to Matekenya’s arrest on May 10, as his identity particulars had been left at the scene.

The total value stolen was US$215 and US$215 was recovered.

Mangosi ordered Matekenya to pay ZWL$50 000 bail and instructed him to continue staying at the given address until the matter was finalised.