City man accused of stealing legislator’s vehicle

stolen car

Old Pumula man appeared in court facing a charge of stealing a car belonging to the Member of the House of Assembly, Mr Albert Mhlanga.

Onias Mubirimi, whose age is not given and lives at Number 5995 Old Pumula, was not formally charged with theft of a motor vehicle when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Mrs Thobekile Mkhosana-Matimba.

He was remanded in custody to today. Mubirimi indicated that he was pleading guilty to the charge but a female relative dressed in Mapostoli attire, told the court officials that Mubirimi was mentally challenged.

It was her claim that he was released from Ingutsheni Central Hospital recently. The magistrate would not buy the story from the prosecutor, Mr Trust Muduma, and ordered that two doctors should ascertain Mubirimi's mental state.

The court heard that last week on Saturday, Mr Mhlanga went to Old Pumula shopping centre where he parked his Isuzu KB300 twin cab and left the keys in the ignition but the engine was not running.

Mubirimi noticed that Mr Mhlanga had left the keys in the ignition, opened the door, jumped inside and started the engine before driving off at high speed, the court heard.

Mr Mhlanga realised that his car was about to go and managed to jump into the back and called out for help. He even hit the roof of the vehicle to attract public attention.

Mubirimi was blocked by other motorists and applied emergency brakes and jumped out of the vehicle, the court further heard. Members of the public gave chase and apprehended him leading to the recovery of the car worth US$125 000.