Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Peter Matika, peter.matika@chronicle.co.zw
A Bulawayo magistrate has denied bail for car dealer and socialite Brighton Chipunza. The court found that there was clear and convincing evidence that Chipunza poses a flight risk and might interfere with witnesses.
Chipunza will remain in custody until December 11.
The decision was delivered by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mrs Benhilda Chiundura yesterday, with the complainant shedding tears of joy at the court’s pronouncement. A stunned Chipunza froze on the dock when the magistrate made her decision.
Before the decision was passed, Chipunza alleged that he was slapped three times by a prison guard only identified as Gore, and as a result, could not hear clearly through his right ear and had developed a “severe” headache.
He claimed the alleged assault occurred at the magistrate’s court holding cells.
Chipunza was arrested last Friday in connection with the theft of a South African-registered Toyota Fortuner from a car wash on the outskirts of Bulawayo city centre.
The case against Chipunza, better known by his street name “Dash,” has garnered considerable public attention, with indications that he is soon to face more charges of car theft.
On Wednesday, Chipunza threatened the complainant, telling her to “watch her back,” before going on to insult journalists at the court. The case has captured public attention, raising questions about car theft and the network of criminal activities that may be operating in the area.
The prosecution, led by Mr Dominic Moyo, said investigations into the vehicle’s theft were set into motion shortly after a report was lodged by the owner, Ms Silibaziso Ncube. Ms Ncube, utilising the services of a vehicle tracking company, located the stolen Toyota Fortuner using GPS technology.
This high-tech approach proved vital in pinpointing the location of the vehicle, leading law enforcement officers to Harare, where they apprehended a suspected accomplice named Julius Chitunhu.
Chitunhu has since appeared in court and was remanded out of custody until December 11 on ZW$10 000 bail for the commencement of trial.
The inquiry has unravelled more than just the case of a stolen car, as authorities discovered a thread of WhatsApp chats between Chipunza and a suspected buyer, along with communications with Chitunhu.
The electronic records have placed Chipunza at the centre of the alleged crime, hinting at a deeper involvement in a possible car theft syndicate.
According to Mr Moyo, on November 18 at around 10 AM, Ms Ncube assigned her employee Jonathan Ngando Thuli (35) to take the vehicle to the Tunnel car wash for cleaning.
“He then drove the vehicle to the car wash and left it with Panashe Dube, who works at the car wash. Dube cleaned the vehicle and parked it outside the car wash under a tree shed,” he said.
Mr Moyo said Dube locked the vehicle and took the car keys with him to the car wash.
At around 4 PM on the same day, Ms Ncube went to the car wash to collect her vehicle and discovered that it was missing. She inquired with staff, who, to her shock, revealed that it had been stolen. The matter was reported to the police.
