Caretaker steals boss’s vehicle, fakes break-in

Michael Mashiri

A caretaker who allegedly staged a break-in after stealing his boss’s vehicle has appeared in court.

Richard Tinashe Kapinda, 24, of 190 Samora Machel Avenue, appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with theft of a motor vehicle.

He was ordered to deposit US$100 as bail and will appear in court on February 12.

The complainant in this matter is Julian Mwanjira, 38, of Mabvazuva, Ruwa, the Director of Hour House Travels situated at number 190 Samora Machel Avenue, Eastlea, Harare.

The State alleges that on February 7, at 190 Samora Machel Avenue, Harare at around 1500 hours, Mwanjira parked a silver Honda Fit, at number 190 Samora Machel Avenue, Harare.

He locked all the doors and closed all the windows and allegedly put the keys in a drawer in the reception.

He then knocked off duty.

It is alleged that while Mwanjira was away, Kapinda got to the reception and used an unknown object, most likely a duplicate key to open the door, gained entry and took the Honda Fit car keys and drove the car to an unknown destination without authority from Mwanjira.

Kapinda was allegedly later involved in an accident and drove away from the accident scene and went to dump it at Corner Selous Avenue and 7th Street, Harare.

He went back to Mwanjira’s offices and staged a break-in by breaking office windows.

The offence came to light when Mwanjira went to his work place and discovered that his car was missing.

He checked the car keys in the reception office but failed to locate them, leading him to file a police report.

The car was then spotted by one Abigail Mamwere Kaja, who then informed Mwanjira.

Kapinda was picked by police from CID VTS Harare, interviewed and led the police to the place where he had dumped the car and it was recovered with its keys on the ignition port.

As a result, the value which was stolen is US$8 500.