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Zimbabwe man steals R190 000 from accident victim
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A Bulawayo man who stole R190 000 from an accident victim and used the funds to buy two vehicles and a mobile phone has had his appeal against a seven-year prison sentence dismissed.
Sylvester Chitandawata was convicted on two counts — theft and money laundering — following an incident on June 6, 2021, near 2nd Avenue and Lobengula Street in a bushy section of the city. According to prosecutor Kudakwashe Jaravaza, Chitandawata took advantage of Shelton Ngamera, who had just been involved in a vehicle accident, stealing a bag containing ZAR190 000. The accused later used the money to purchase a BMW, a Honda Fit, and an Itel A56 phone.
"Evidence presented in the lower court clearly placed the accused at the scene of the crime. The complainant testified that he had handed the accused his car keys while the latter adjusted the driver's seat, and then saw him run off with the bag containing the money. The area was well-lit, and the complainant spent about 20 minutes in proximity to the accused, who was wearing a work suit with blue trousers and a reflective band around his leg," Jaravaza said.
The identification of Chitandawata was reinforced by testimony from a second State witness, Charles Mhlanga, who had called the accused to the scene to assist after the accident. "Mr Mhlanga saw the accused flee with the money while leaving behind a satchel containing identity documents linking him directly to the crime. The witness had known the accused for years, since 2003, which eliminated any possibility of mistaken identity," the prosecutor added.
The court also heard that Chitandawata tried to challenge Mhlanga's testimony by alleging bad blood between them, but the judges rejected this claim, noting it had not been raised in his original defence and that he had failed to cross-examine the witness on the matter.
Chitandawata, who represented himself, appealed both his conviction and sentence at the Bulawayo High Court, where Justices Mutevedzi and Ndlovu presided. In dismissing the appeal, the judges emphasised that stealing from a person immediately after an accident was an aggravating circumstance, and upheld the seven-year custodial term imposed by the lower court.
Sylvester Chitandawata was convicted on two counts — theft and money laundering — following an incident on June 6, 2021, near 2nd Avenue and Lobengula Street in a bushy section of the city. According to prosecutor Kudakwashe Jaravaza, Chitandawata took advantage of Shelton Ngamera, who had just been involved in a vehicle accident, stealing a bag containing ZAR190 000. The accused later used the money to purchase a BMW, a Honda Fit, and an Itel A56 phone.
"Evidence presented in the lower court clearly placed the accused at the scene of the crime. The complainant testified that he had handed the accused his car keys while the latter adjusted the driver's seat, and then saw him run off with the bag containing the money. The area was well-lit, and the complainant spent about 20 minutes in proximity to the accused, who was wearing a work suit with blue trousers and a reflective band around his leg," Jaravaza said.
The identification of Chitandawata was reinforced by testimony from a second State witness, Charles Mhlanga, who had called the accused to the scene to assist after the accident. "Mr Mhlanga saw the accused flee with the money while leaving behind a satchel containing identity documents linking him directly to the crime. The witness had known the accused for years, since 2003, which eliminated any possibility of mistaken identity," the prosecutor added.
The court also heard that Chitandawata tried to challenge Mhlanga's testimony by alleging bad blood between them, but the judges rejected this claim, noting it had not been raised in his original defence and that he had failed to cross-examine the witness on the matter.
Chitandawata, who represented himself, appealed both his conviction and sentence at the Bulawayo High Court, where Justices Mutevedzi and Ndlovu presided. In dismissing the appeal, the judges emphasised that stealing from a person immediately after an accident was an aggravating circumstance, and upheld the seven-year custodial term imposed by the lower court.
Source - The Chronicle
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