Man steals car with child in it

Michael Mashiri

A man, who is being accused for kidnapping and car theft, has been denied bail and remanded in custody to 28 November 2022.

Kudakwashe Lee Moyo (21), of no fixed abode, appeared before the Harare Magistrates, Court charged with theft as defined in Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23 and kidnapping as defined in Section 93 (1)(b)(ii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.

The court heard that on 8 November, 2022 around 1800 hours Moyo and the complainant were at Mbare Shrine, conducting prayers.

Moyo sneaked and stole the complainant’s Nissan VIP Ex Saloon motor vehicle and drove away. Inside the motor vehicle was the complainant’s child aged four who was asleep in the back seat, a tools box containing spanners, pressure switch, pressure gauge, two drills, two work suits and a Nokia cellphone with two sim cards.

Moyo took the child to his girlfriend’s place in Stoneridge Park in Harare, where he stayed with him, claiming that the child was his late brother’s who he was taking care of. After around 12 days, the girlfriend became suspicious of Moyo’s behaviour because he was nowhere to be found.

This led her to search the vehicle and, in the process, came across complainant’s cellphone number. Moyo later returned and took the motor vehicle, leaving the child behind and drove to an unknown destination.

Moyo’s girlfriend then contacted the complainant, advised him about the presence of the child at her place and the child was found on 20 November, 2022.

On 23 November, 2022, Moyo came back to his girlfriend’s place and he was subsequently arrested. He then led detectives to the recovery of the stolen car at Village Nyakudanga in Mutoko with a missing tool’s box and cellphone. He also led the detectives to the recovery of 2 drill machines and one pressure pump in Epworth where he had sold them.

The value of property Moyo had stolen was US$3 757 and US$3 000 was recovered.

Magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure placed Moyo in custody and ordered him to appear on 28 November for bail application.