Top CIO officer, Indian national up for stolen BMW

A district intelligence officer, Mbereki Mbizo Nyathi, and an Indian national, Abdul Ismael, appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court on Monday, facing charges of theft of a motor vehicle.

The pair were not asked to plead during the hearing before Provincial Magistrate Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe and were remanded in custody ahead of their bail application scheduled for today.

According to court documents, the alleged crime occurred in January 2015, when Nyathi (44) and Ismael (30) reportedly conspired to steal a BMW 320D in South Africa. They are accused of collaborating with a South Africa-based syndicate, including an individual identified as Hillary Nduna, who remains at large.

The prosecution alleges that the stolen vehicle was brought into Zimbabwe, where Ismael fraudulently obtained a registration book bearing the number ADU 6982 from the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR). The car was then reportedly delivered to Nyathi's residence for safekeeping, taking advantage of his position as a senior State security officer. Nyathi is alleged to have subsequently used the vehicle.

In opposition to bail, the Prosecutor-General's Office argued that Ismael was not gainfully employed and posed a flight risk. Nyathi, meanwhile, was considered a poor bail candidate due to the likelihood of interfering with evidence or witnesses, particularly as one witness is reportedly his close friend. The State also highlighted the suspects' connections at the CVR, noting that granting bail could enable them to influence witnesses.

The alleged fraudulent registration was confirmed by the CVR, which stated that the registration book for the BMW had been obtained illegally to evade Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) duties.

Senior prosecutor Michael Reza represented the State, while Oliver Marwa appeared for the accused.