News / National
Bulawayo car dealer faces additional car theft charges
10 Dec 2024 at 06:42hrs | Views
Bulawayo socialite and car dealer Brighton Chipunza has been hit with fresh charges in connection with a high-profile car theft case involving a Toyota Hilux GD6 owned by prominent businessman and former deputy mayor Gift Banda. The vehicle, which was being used by Banda's daughter, was allegedly stolen last December.
Chipunza is already facing charges for the theft of a South Africa-registered Toyota Fortuner from a car wash in Bulawayo, which was later transported to Harare in an attempt to erase identifying marks.
During Chipunza's court appearance last Friday, prosecutor Dominic Moyo detailed how the accused reportedly used stolen original car keys to steal the Toyota Hilux GD6 from the King's Kraal car park at Bradfield shopping centre in the early hours of December 24, 2023.
"The accused used keys originally left in his vehicle by a vehicle tracker, Liberty Bukhosi Mlambo, earlier in 2023. These keys were never returned despite Mlambo's request," Moyo said.
Moyo explained that the theft unfolded after Chipunza failed to return the misplaced keys, raising suspicions about his involvement. The accused allegedly drove off unnoticed and has yet to provide a satisfactory explanation for the missing keys.
Chipunza's growing list of charges has drawn significant public attention, with speculation of his involvement in a wider car theft syndicate. Police reports indicate that electronic communications between Chipunza and suspected accomplices, including WhatsApp messages, point to an organized network.
In the earlier Toyota Fortuner case, Chipunza allegedly worked with Amen Matayi Ncube and Julius Chitunhu to steal the vehicle from a car wash on November 18, 2024. The vehicle was traced to Harare using GPS tracking technology, leading to arrests.
A fortnight ago, Chipunza was denied bail by Bulawayo regional magistrate Benhilda Chiundura, who cited his potential as a flight risk and the likelihood of witness interference.
Meanwhile, Ncube and Chitunhu, Chipunza's co-accused in the Fortuner case, are also set to appear in court on December 11. Ncube allegedly hid the stolen vehicle at his Montrose residence before transferring it to Harare for disposal.
The high-profile nature of the cases has sparked widespread interest and concern about the prevalence of organized car theft rings in the region. Investigations continue to uncover further details, with police vowing to bring all those involved to justice.
Chipunza's next court date is set for December 11, as the authorities aim to unravel the full scope of his alleged criminal activities.
Chipunza is already facing charges for the theft of a South Africa-registered Toyota Fortuner from a car wash in Bulawayo, which was later transported to Harare in an attempt to erase identifying marks.
During Chipunza's court appearance last Friday, prosecutor Dominic Moyo detailed how the accused reportedly used stolen original car keys to steal the Toyota Hilux GD6 from the King's Kraal car park at Bradfield shopping centre in the early hours of December 24, 2023.
"The accused used keys originally left in his vehicle by a vehicle tracker, Liberty Bukhosi Mlambo, earlier in 2023. These keys were never returned despite Mlambo's request," Moyo said.
Moyo explained that the theft unfolded after Chipunza failed to return the misplaced keys, raising suspicions about his involvement. The accused allegedly drove off unnoticed and has yet to provide a satisfactory explanation for the missing keys.
Chipunza's growing list of charges has drawn significant public attention, with speculation of his involvement in a wider car theft syndicate. Police reports indicate that electronic communications between Chipunza and suspected accomplices, including WhatsApp messages, point to an organized network.
In the earlier Toyota Fortuner case, Chipunza allegedly worked with Amen Matayi Ncube and Julius Chitunhu to steal the vehicle from a car wash on November 18, 2024. The vehicle was traced to Harare using GPS tracking technology, leading to arrests.
A fortnight ago, Chipunza was denied bail by Bulawayo regional magistrate Benhilda Chiundura, who cited his potential as a flight risk and the likelihood of witness interference.
Meanwhile, Ncube and Chitunhu, Chipunza's co-accused in the Fortuner case, are also set to appear in court on December 11. Ncube allegedly hid the stolen vehicle at his Montrose residence before transferring it to Harare for disposal.
The high-profile nature of the cases has sparked widespread interest and concern about the prevalence of organized car theft rings in the region. Investigations continue to uncover further details, with police vowing to bring all those involved to justice.
Chipunza's next court date is set for December 11, as the authorities aim to unravel the full scope of his alleged criminal activities.
Source - The Chronicle
