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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
A man masquerading as a police officer reportedly impounded a vehicle bearing Botswana registration numbers and drove to the Criminal Investigation Department Vehicle Theft Squad premises before stealing it.
Stephen Muzengeza (28) of No. 9983 Budiriro 5A in Harare appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe facing charges of impersonating a police officer and theft of a motor vehicle. The complainant in the matter is the State represented by CID Vehicle Theft Squad Detective Sergeant Chigondo.

Prosecutor Mr Farai Gatsi alleged that in October last year around 10pm Brighton Magoto parked his vehicle, a black Mazda 626, bearing Botswana registration number plates at BancABC along Samora Machel Avenue.

Muzengeza, in the company of his accomplice Tichaona Zulu who was still at large, approached Magoto and introduced themselves as detectives from CID Vehicle Theft Squad.

The pair demanded to see the particulars of his motor vehicle.
Magoto gave the pair the temporary import permit, motor vehicle registration book and Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (Sarpcco) clearance certificate.

They then advised Magoto that he was under arrest and that they had impounded the vehicle since the papers were not in order.
It is alleged one of the accused took the car keys and drove to the CID Vehicle Theft Squad with Magoto.

They parked the car at the front of the CID VTS premises and disappeared with the vehicle after Magoto disembarked.
On Monday, Magoto was told by his friend that he had spotted his car in Kuwadzana and he reported the matter to the police.