Chitungwiza man steals car laden with 72 boxes of ...

Chitungwiza man steals car laden with 72 boxes of cooking oil

Patience Muchemwa

A 34-year-old Chitungwiza man, Talent Reid, appeared before Regional Magistrate Clever Tsikwa at Harare Magistrates’ Courts accused theft.

The State, through prosecutor Lovet Muringwa, told the court that the incident occurred at Pick n Pay Zengeza 2 car park in Chitungwiza on Saturday.

Reid unlawfully took Pasto Gwara’s property namely a motor vehicle, Nissan Como, registration number AFT 5993, engine number ZD30027D40K, chassis number CWGE25803079, silver in colour which was loaded with 72 boxes of 12x2 litres Delite cooking oil.

Gwara left the car for some minutes and on return, he found his motor vehicle missing.

Reid was discovered through the Pick n Pay CCTV footage then a police report was filed at ZRP St Mary’s in Chitungwiza.

On Sunday, police detectives proceeded to be crime scene where they viewed CCTV footage. Local inquiries were conducted and through the CCTV footage, Reid was identified, leading to his arrest at number 3328 Takura Road, Zengeza 3, Chitungwiza, where he resides.

Upon arrest, Reid let to the recovery of 14 boxes (12x2litres) of Delite cooking oil, which were in the house.

He led the police detectives to Zengeza 3 shops in Chitungwiza where he had dumped the stolen motor vehicle intact loaded with 48 boxes (12x2 litres) of Delite cooking oil.

He further led them to house number 35 Dahwa Street, Zengeza 3, Chitungwiza where 7 boxes (12x2litres) of Delite cooking oil were recovered from his friend, only identified as Jijiji.

The recovered stolen property and Reid were escorted to CID VTS Harare where the property was booked in the station exhibit book before it was handed over to Gwara on form of indemnity.

The value stolen is US$12 370 and the total recovered is US$12 205.