Two men pretend to hire taxi, rob and dump driver

Michael Mashiri

Two men who allegedly pretended to be passengers and stole a taxi, which they used to kidnap the complainant, have been taken to court.

Austin Mukalanga, 29, of Overspill, Harare, and Tapiwa Chingara, 29, of Mbare, appeared before Harare magistrate Stanford Mambanje facing allegations of motor vehicle theft and kidnapping.

The State, through prosecutor Anesu Chirenje, alleges that on January 23, 2024, at around 2100 hours, the two accused persons who were with one Kudzai Tendai Gore - who is still at large - approached Johannes Mashiri, who operates as a taxi driver at Chikwanha Shopping Centre, Chitungwiza.

They hired his brown Toyota Sienta from Chikwanha taxi rank in Chitungwiza to Chinhamo just behind Koala Park Abattoir along Seke Road at an agreed fee of US$10.

When they arrived at Koala Park, the accused persons requested Mashiri to accompany them to a nearby shebeen where they intended to buy beer.

As Mashiri reduced speed to drive to the shebeen, it is alleged that Mukalanga shifted the gear lever of the car to neutral while Chinangara pointed a screw drive at him.

The other accused person moved to sit immediately behind the driver's seat and ordered Mashiri to remain calm.

He grabbed Mashiri by the neck and pulled him from the driver's seat to the rear passenger’s seat.

It is alleged that the accused persons went on to tear Mashiri’s t-shirt and attempted to use it to tie his hands but failed.

They then cut the seat belts and tied Mashiri’s hands and legs while pressing his head down.

They took his Huawei phone, a black wallet containing his personal documents before they dragged him into a bushy area near Kutsaga Research in Epworth.

The third accused, who is still at large, jumped into the driver's seat and they drove off towards Harare CBD, leaving Mashiri stranded at the scene.

The complainant later went to ZRP Epworth where he made a report after being assisted by a well-wisher.

The State also alleges that on the same day at around 2200 hour at Corner Chinhoyi and Harare Streets, Harare, the accused persons using the stolen car offered transport to one Takashinga Chigovanyika, who intended to go to Rugare, in Harare.

It is alleged that Mukalanga was sitting in the car boot, Chingara on the rear passenger seat while Gore was driving the stolen car.

They drove into Charter Road and turned into Harare Street and that is when Chigovanyika started arguing with the accused persons since the direction they had taken was totally off the intended destination.

During the misunderstanding, Mukalanga pulled a knife, grabbed Chigovanyika by the neck and wrestled with him as the car was in motion.

The other accused, who is still at large, lost control of the car, leading it to ram into a road pavement.

Chigovanyika overpowered the accused and continued grabbing him as he screamed for help and was assisted by members of the public.

Mukalanga and Chingara were allegedly arrested but their accomplice escaped.

The stolen car was recovered, the arrested accused persons were later handed over to the police who searched the car and recovered a black dual sim card Itel phone from Mukalanga and a white Honour phone belonging to Chingara.

The accused were remanded in custody.