The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
A SECURITY detail and a taxi driver who had been caught with stolen Cyclone Idai goods worth thousands of dollars in Chipinge and escaped from lawful custody were re-arrested after being involved in a speed chase accident.
Philosopher Ratisai (32), of 436 Ngangu, Chimanimani and Bigbrain Sithole, a security detail from Chipinge, appeared before Chipinge magistrate Mr Joshua Nembawire facing theft charges.
They pleaded not guilty and were remanded out of custody on $500 bail each.
The two were ordered to report at CID Chipinge every Friday between 6am to 6pm.
They are ordered not to interfere with State witnesses and were also barred them from visiting Silver Stream pending the finalisation of the matter.
The two suspects were also ordered to surrender their travel documents to the clerk of court as part of their bail conditions.
It was the State case led by Mrs Shamiso Ncube that on April 23, 2019 the accused persons connived to steal Cyclone Idai donations from Silver Stream base.
“On April 24, Sergeant Major Nyamayaro and Constable Kunaka were manning a security roadblock at Jopa turn-off along the Birchenough-Mt Selinda Road,” she said.
Mrs Ncube said the security officers stopped the vehicle and conducted a search where they founded some stolen goods.
“The accused persons were arrested, but later escaped from police custody and drove-off towards Tanganda Halt. Police got a vehicle and chased after the gate-away car. They apprehended Philosopher Ratisi near Bondi after his vehicle had been involved in an accident.
“Sithole was later re-arrested at Silver Stream base by military police and was handed to police for further management,” she added
The matter was remanded to May 15 for trial.
