In a harrowing incident, a taxi driver from Bulawayo narrowly escaped with his life after being violently attacked by three individuals who hired him and subsequently stole his vehicle.
Blessing Ngwenya (30), Thinkwell Moyo (30) from Nkulumane suburb, and Christopher Tigere (48) from Rusape in Manicaland province appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Joseph Mabeza, facing charges of motor vehicle theft. They pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody pending the start of their trial.
According to the allegations, on August 17, at approximately 10 p.m., Brian Moyo was approached by one of the suspects while he was seeking customers at a city night club located at the intersection of 11th Avenue and George Silundika Street. The suspect hired Moyo to drive them to Nketa suburb, and he agreed to the request.
Upon reaching another club, they picked up two additional individuals, and together they proceeded towards Nketa suburb. However, when they arrived at Nketa 9 flats, one of the perpetrators abruptly pulled the gear lever to park, engaged the handbrake, and brought the vehicle to a halt.
In a brutal turn of events, the trio viciously assaulted the victim, prompting him to flee, leaving behind his vehicle and mobile phone. Seizing the opportunity, the perpetrators swiftly sped away from the scene.
Moyo promptly informed his employer, Patrick Murevanemwe, about the robbery. Murevanemwe, utilizing the mobile tracker on the stolen phone, determined the direction in which the culprits were heading—along the Bulawayo-Harare highway.
The matter was immediately reported to the police, who subsequently alerted their counterparts in Gweru. The following day, around 2 a.m., the Gweru police intercepted the vehicle at a tollgate approximately 20 kilometers after Gweru.
As a result, the law enforcement agents successfully apprehended the three suspects, and the vehicle, valued at US$5,000, was recovered.
