Theft from cars suspect arrested

Mashudu Mambo

A 24-YEAR-OLD man from Mzilikazi suburb in Bulawayo has appeared in court facing five counts of theft from a motor vehicle.

Mduduzi Xolani Mhlanga appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Nomagugu Maphosa also facing other charges of possession of dangerous drugs and articles for criminal use.

He was not asked to plead to all the seven counts and was remanded in custody to 8 March.

Allegations against Mhlanga are that on 9 February at around 11.30am, he was in the company of his accomplice only identified as Thando, who is still on the run, when he stole from a car belonging to Robinson Shawn Ian (40) which was parked at Bulawayo Golf Club.

The duo stole an HP laptop, two external hard drives, leather purse, a cellphone and personal documents and went away.

Ian discovered the offence and reported it to the police.

The value of the stolen property is US$1 200, and nothing was recovered.

On 11 February at around 8pm, the duo stole vehicle registration plates from another car, a Toyota Noah belonging to Gift Chikukwa (49) that was parked at his house in Mzilikazi suburb.

Chikukwa discovered the offence the following morning and made a report to the police. 

The value of the stolen property was US$200.

Furthermore, on 16 February at around 1pm, Pretty John Ndlovu (45) of Ntabazinduna Flats parked her car, a Mazda Familia at Coghlan Primary School and in her absence, Mhlanga and his accomplice stole a handbag, with two cellphones, US$420 and documents that were inside the bag.

The suspects were seen by an informer fleeing from the scene in a silver Toyota Vitz and the informer reported the matter to the police.

Detectives received information from someone who saw the duo dumping the handbag with a purse and identity documents in Thorngrove suburb.

The value of the stolen property was US$600 and only US$30 worth of property was recovered.

Moreover, on the same day and at around 1pm, another victim, Limnet Machacha (30) from Cowdray Park, parked her car at Milton Junior School and locked it, leaving behind a small bag.

The duo stole the bag which contained US$100, identity documents and clothes and fled from the scene.

The value of the stolen property was US$150, and nothing was recovered.

Furthermore, on 18 February and at around 3:40pm, Nkosilathi Ndlovu (38) from Emakhandeni, parked his Toyota Altezza in the city centre and locked all the doors.

The duo opened the car using an unknown object and stole his cellphone worth US$80 and nothing was recovered.

Detectives received information on the whereabouts of Mhlanga and a follow up was made leading to his arrest in Mzilikazi suburb on 20 February.

Upon his arrest police searched his car, a Toyota Vitz, and recovered the stolen registration plates, two sachets of dagga and a metal T-bar.