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Court Reporter
A 25-year-old robber will spend the next two years and nine months in jail for trying to steal a Nissan NP 200 in a parking bay at the Eastgate lower basement floor in Harare. Hlahla Mkwebu, who does not have a driver’s licence, was found guilty of theft of motor vehicle charges when he appeared before Harare magistrate, Ms Tilda Mutambanashe.

The complainant was Lenaus Zhou (42) of 2805 Mainway Meadows and is employed by Liquid Telecoms at Eastgate. In passing sentence, Ms Mutambanashe said Mkwebu committed a serious offence. “He attempted to steal a valuable asset. Had he not been caught, the complainant could have been prejudiced of a car worth more than $20 000,” she said.

In aggravation, prosecutor Ms Dora Moyo said the court must protect the public from criminals such as Mkwebu. “The right message ought to be sent to like-minded individuals that crime does not pay,” she said. Moyo told the court that on August 17, Zhou parked his car, a white Nissan NP200 in a parking bay on the Eastgate lower basement floor.

He left for home after securing windows and doors. Mkwebu sneaked into the premises and used an unknown object to open the locked doors. He searched the car until he found a duplicate key. He started the vehicle car, but bumped into another parked vehicle on his way out.

The incident alerted a security guard, Osten Chapwanya, who was manning the premises, and he rushed to the parking bay to investigate. He found Mkwebu in possession of a tag used to register cars when they leave the basement. He also discovered that Mkwebu was not a holder of driver’s licence.

Mkwebu was handed over to police at Harare Central Police Station. The car is valued at $20 700.