ZBC engineer entertained by a hooker loses car to thieving cop

A Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation engineer lost a BMW motor vehicle to his friend - a policeman - who drove off in the dead of night while the owner was being entertained by a prostitute in Epworth.

Superintendent Richard Masuku (48), based at Harare Provincial Headquarters Camps and Hostels Section, was arrested seven days later in Bulawayo following a tip-off.

He has since appeared in court facing charges under the Road Traffic Act Chapter 13:11, "Using motor vehicle without owner's consent".

Harare magistrate Mrs Wongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro remanded Masuku in custody to September 19 and advised him to apply for bail at the High Court.

Masuku and Mufudzi Shumba, who is employed by Transmedia at ZBC Pockets Hill, had been drinking beer at Celebrity Bar in Msasa before they decided to pick up two prostitutes from Epworth where they later went to spend the night.

Taking advantage of Shumba who was in another room with his "catch", Masuku drove off in the MBW at around 3am.

Prosecutor Nancy Chandakaona said on August 30, Shumba – who was driving a BMW )registration number AED 4901) met Masuku at Celebrity Bar in Msasa where they went on a drinking spree.

The two later agreed to pick up two ladies from the bar and hooked up with Paidamoyo Chihwehwete and Beauty Mayor, both of Munyuki in Epworth.

It is alleged that at around 11pm Shumba and Masuku in the company of Chihwehwete and Mayor left the bar and drove to Munyuki Business Centre.

Shumba disembarked from the vehicle to buy beer leaving the three in the vehicle and when he returned a few minutes later he saw Masuku now esconsed in the driver's seat.

He then went on sit in the back seat before they drove to Chihwehwete and Mayor's house where they had planned to sleep over.

The State heard that they all disembarked from the vehicle and Shumba left his Asus i5 laptop on the back seat and seven pairs of tracksuits inscribed, "Greendale City Wolves" in the boot.

Masuku locked the vehicle and got into Mayor's room with the car keys while Shumba got into Chihwehwete's room and slept.

During the night Masuku is alleged to have hatched a plan to steal Shumba's vehicle and drove off leaving him sleeping.

Shumba woke up at around 7am and discovered that the vehicle was missing and he inquired from Chihwehwete who told him that Masuku had left with the car at around 3am and had promised to come and pick him up at around 5am.

Shumba tried to contact Masuku on his mobile phone but it was switched off.

He made checks at his workplace and his residence but could not locate him and reported the matter to the police.

On September 6, police received a tip-off that Masuku was in Bulawayo and they arrested him in the city leading to the recovery of the vehicle.

The laptop, three tracksuit jackets and a tracksuit bottom were not recovered.

The vehicle had also developed a fuel pump fault while the rear left passenger window winding system was not functional.

Total value stolen was $7 500 and police recovered property worth $6 000.