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Victor Maphosa Herald Reporter
A Harare man, who allegedly disappeared with his employer’s commuter omnibus and used it for his own benefit for three days, has been dragged to court.

Taona Ngonidzashe Chinyama (25) appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Rumbidzai Mugwagwa facing charges of theft. He was remanded to January 8 on $50 bail.

Prosecutor Motion Mudziwepasi alleged that on December 24, Rudolf Mutandi was at the intersection of Mbuya Nehanda and Speke streets looking for a part-time driver to relieve his employee who was not feeling well.

Chinyama, who was at the same intersection, showed interest in taking over as the new driver and the two agreed he was to do a few trips and return the vehicle to Mutandi on that same day.

Further allegations were that Chinyama returned to the intersection with the vehicle late in the afternoon of the same day, complaining that it had developed a mechanical fault.

The court heard that Mutandi then left the commuter omnibus with Chinyama and went to buy some engine oil.

After a few minutes, the court further heard, Mutandi returned with the engine oil to the intersection only to find that Chinyama had gone with the commuter omnibus. Efforts to locate him were fruitless on that day. On December 26, Mutandi was informed that his commuter omnibus had been spotted in Epworth.

Mutandi teamed with his brother and went to Epworth. He, however, met Chinyama along the way with the commuter omnibus loaded with passengers heading for the city centre.

Mutandi and his brother followed Chinyama up to the intersection of Robert Mugabe and Rezende Street where they confronted him, leading to police intervention.