Man fakes disability, robs taxi driver

A 27-year-old Zvishavane man, who feigned physical disability before robbing a taxi driver of his car, was this week jailed to an effective four years for car theft.

Brighton Gute appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Archie Wochiunga and was sentenced to six years for stealing Tichaona Ngwenya's vehicle, but two years were suspended on condition of good behaviour.

The court heard that sometime this month Ngwenya parked his vehicle at a night club in the mining town when the accused approached him seeking to hire the car.

Along the way the accused asked the complainant to pick his parcel which he alleged he had left along Masvingo-Zvishavane Road, a request the latter agreed to.

When they arrived at the pick up point accused, who had an arm-sling and walking stick, asked the complainant to assist him load the parcel in the car boot.

The complainant disembarked from the car and left the car keys on the ignition.

The accused then jumped onto the driver's seat and drove towards Zvishavane leaving the complainant stranded.

When the complainant opened the plastic bag he discovered that it contained garbage and stones before he went on to make a report at Zvishavane police station.

The accused was later arrested in Kwekwe where he was using the car as a taxi.