4 steal from dead woman

FOUR Mbare men were yesterday arraigned before the courts on allegations of stealing more than US$5 000 from a woman who died when the car she was driving was involved in an accident along Harare-Mutare road.

Ernest Jonga, 23, Sedrick Kachengo, 20, Innocent Gumbo, 17 and Kelvin John, 21 were not asked to plead when they appeared before Harare magistrate Gideon Ruvedza charged with theft.

They were remanded in custody for bail ruling.

The State alleges that on November 12 at around 5pm, the now deceased received cash from Aaron Nyapfumbi, her business partner, amounting US$5510 to go and purchase potatoes for resale in Nyanga.

However, the now-deceased was involved in a fatal accident whilst approaching the 68 kilometer peg along Harare-Mutare road in which she was seriously injured.

She was ferried to Parirenyatwa group of hospitals for hospitalization where she died upon arrival.

It is alleged the accused persons were in an unknown Mazda pick-up vehicle trailing the lorry in which the now deceased was travelling in.

The State alleges that they were the first people to arrive at the scene of the accident and they took advantage of the complainant's unconsciousness and searched the accident damaged vehicle where they stole cash amounting to US$5510.

It is alleged that they shared the money amongst themselves and went away unnoticed.

On November 27 Detectives from CID Highlands received information to the effect that the accused persons stole the now deceased's cash.

When the accused were being interviewed they led detectives to the recovery of the proceeds.

From the US$5510, only US$1710 was recovered.