By Felix Mwatutsa
MARONDERA– Three suspects were recently arrested in connection with a case involving the robbery of a 30-tonne truck carrying 1,300 boxes of 12 x 2-litre Zimgold cooking oil.
The three – Terrence Muzuva (50) from Mabvuku, Harare, Last Mazuva (38) of Kuwadzana extension, Harare, and Fungai Mazarura – allegedly drove off with 1,300 boxes of cooking oil after they grabbed the driver from behind, causing him to slow the vehicle, pull over, and stop. One of the suspects then sprayed pepper spray in the driver’s eyes tied his legs with a data cable and handcuffed him, before covering his mouth and face with a cloth.
The incident was confirmed by the police spokesperson for Mashonand East Province, Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi who said the three will appear in court soon.
It is reported that on February 14, at 3pm, Derick Wallace (48) was driving a truck loaded with 30 tonnes of boxes of Zimgold cooking oil from Harare to Zvishavane. He departed Harare around 12pm and picked up five unknown hitchhikers. One of them disembarked at the Pimbi bus stop along the Harare-Masvingo road.
At the 138 km peg, one of the suspects grabbed the driver from behind, causing him to slow down, pull over, and stop. The other suspect drove the vehicle and parked it about 3km away, where they unhitched the trailer. The suspects drove off in the truck, leaving the trailer behind, and parked it at number 9 Mavise, Mvuma, where they switched off the engine.
They stole the driver’s cellphone, US$75 and the truck keys. The driver was left in the vehicle and later disembarked, seeking help from villagers.
The driver reported the incident at ZRP Mvuma, and CID Mvuma attended the scene.
“On February 16, around midnight, a surveillance team spotted the stolen trailer reversing along Leopold Takawira Street in Harare. They alerted CID Homicide, who rushed to the scene and found three people offloading cooking oil from the trailer. The suspects were arrested, ” Inspector Chazovachiyi said.
Inspector Chazovachiyi appealed to drivers to exercise caution and refrain from carrying strangers in their vehicles. He also emphasised the importance of promptly reporting any incidents of robbery to the police.
Additionally, the inspector advised company owners to consider installing tracking devices in their vehicles as an extra layer of security as well as thorough background checks on potential drivers before hiring them.
