Man accused of kidnapping taxi driver

A 35-year-old Bulawayo man accused of kidnapping a taxi driver, robbing him of his day's takings and forcing him across the border into Botswana has appeared in court.

Ability Tshuma, of Cowdray Park, appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Shingai Mutiro facing a charge of kidnapping. He was remanded in custody to August 28 for continuation of the trial.

Tshuma is accused of working with an accomplice, who remains at large, to abduct taxi driver Jokonia Matendere after luring him into providing transport.

The State alleges that the two men overpowered Matendere, tied his hands with ropes, covered his mouth with adhesive tape and placed him in the boot of his Honda Fit before driving him to a secluded area and later across the border into Botswana.

Prosecutor Owen Mugari told the court that the incident occurred on February 13 last year at around 7pm.

According to the State, Matendere was driving along the Bulawayo-Tsholotsho Road towards Bulawayo when Tshuma and his accomplice stopped him in Nyamandlovu, pretending to be looking for transport into the city.

The two men allegedly told Matendere that they wanted to collect a woman from the Stevens area and take her to Nyamandlovu Clinic. He agreed to transport them.

The court heard that the accomplice later claimed they had missed the turn and instructed Matendere to reverse.

"As the complainant was reversing, Tshuma jumped out of the vehicle, leaving the front door open and started directing the driver," Mugari told the court.

While Matendere was concentrating on reversing, Tshuma's accomplice allegedly moved into the front seat and grabbed him by the neck.

The two men allegedly produced ropes from a bag, tied Matendere's hands, covered his mouth with adhesive tape and forced him into the boot.

They allegedly drove towards Bulawayo before turning into a bushy area after passing the Cowdray Park turn-off.

The State alleges that the men demanded money from Matendere, who handed over cash, his cellphone, national identity card and a certified copy of his driver's licence.

Matendere reportedly managed to escape and ran for several metres before falling. The accused allegedly caught him, tied him up again and forced him back into the vehicle.

The court further heard that when Matendere's wife called his cellphone, the accused instructed him to answer and falsely claim that the vehicle had broken down.

The following day, he was allegedly ordered to call his wife and ask her to collect money from his pastor, under the false pretence that the funds were required by mechanics repairing the vehicle.

The pair later allegedly drove towards Zimnyama in Plumtree, where they reportedly intended to rob Tshuma's girlfriend but failed.

A day later, the men allegedly took Matendere to a bushy area, tied him to a tree and abandoned the vehicle after villagers reportedly became suspicious and questioned them about it.

The accused allegedly returned later and untied him.

"Tshuma then suggested that they cross into Botswana, claiming that he knew someone there who had money. They subsequently abandoned the vehicle and proceeded on foot towards Botswana," Mugari said.

Upon reaching Botswana, the State alleges that the group entered a homestead occupied by an elderly man.

Matendere was allegedly instructed to tie up the elderly man before the group entered the house and stole various items.

The prosecution further alleges that one of the men raped the elderly man's daughter after she arrived at the homestead.

Matendere subsequently escaped and sought refuge at a neighbouring homestead, where he reported the incident. The occupants alerted Botswana police.

Tshuma was eventually arrested in Bulawayo after Matendere allegedly spotted him on August 14 this year at around 2pm along Fort Street between 6th Avenue and Leopold Takawira Avenue.

Matendere reportedly alerted police officers from Bulawayo Central Police Station who were on patrol, leading to Tshuma's arrest.

The alleged accomplice remains at large.

The allegations against Tshuma have not been tested in court, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.