The ManicaPost
Rusape Correspondent—
A RUSAPE soldier allegedly broke into a local garage and stole a drum full of diesel and sold it.Isaac Hwangu (28) of House Number 1999, ZBS, Vengere who is employed by the Zimbabwe National Army and stationed at 5 Brigade in Kwekwe was allegedly in the company of an accomplice, Everton Ndudzo who is still at large when he committed the offence.
Hwangu who is represented by Mr Leonard Chigadza of Chigadza and Associates and is out on bail pleaded not guilty when he appeared before provincial magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi. State prosecutor, Ms Event Dhliwayo, told the court that Hwangu and Ndudzo broke into the garage and stole the diesel during the early hours of Monday and went away unnoticed by the guard.
Hwangu was arrested after detectives picked up information that linked him to the offence.
“On November 21 at around 3am, Hwangu and Ndudzo who is still at large proceeded to Patel Garage in the industrial area of Rusape where they broke the locking device which secured the gate to the premises to gain entry. They stole a drum containing 210 litres of diesel and went away unnoticed.
“On the same day, Isaiah Muponda who is employed as a guard at the premise woke up and discovered the offence. He made a report to the police,” she said.
Ms Dhliwayo said on the same day at around 10am, police detectives picked information to the effect that Hwangu and Ndudzo hired a Honda Fit, Registration Number ABD1242 to ferry the stolen drum containing 210 litres diesel to Zuva Service Station.
“Police detectives swiftly reacted to the information and Hwangu was arrested. He led detectives to Zuva Service Station where they had sold the diesel. The drum containing 210 litres of diesel was recovered from Knowledge Munyadziwa who had bought it from the two accused persons.
“The value of the stolen is $240 and all was recovered,” said Ms Dhliwayo.
The matter was adjourned to November 28 for continuation of trial.
