Tout steals kombi

A TOUT who stole a commuter omnibus belonging to his employer during the night when a security guard manning the premises where it was parked was asleep, was yesterday slapped with an effective five years in jail.

Clever Chipwanya (25) of Mahatshula North in Bulawayo pleaded guilty to a theft of vehicle charge when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mark Dzira yesterday.

The magistrate convicted him on his plea of guilty and sentenced him to eight years in jail.

Three years of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

The court heard that on November 9 last year at 8:13pm, the complainant, Nosizi Zhou - a commuter omnibus driver - parked the Toyota Hiace kombi at the car park at corner 6th Avenue and George Silundika street in Bulawayo and as usual left the car keys under the driver's seat before going home.

During the night, Chipwanya took advantage of the sleeping security guard and stole the vehicle which he drove away.

At 4:30am Zhou went to collect his vehicle and found it missing.

He made a report to the police.

Investigations were made, leading to Chipwanya's arrest while he was sleeping inside the stolen vehicle at a taxi rank at corner 2nd Avenue and Samuel Parirenyatwa Street.

The value of the vehicle was $10 500 and it was recovered.