A BOGUS truck driver has been arraigned before the courts facing allegations of theft of scrap metal valued at US$25 648.Harare magistrate Apollonia Marutya remanded Tawanda Ncube (35) in custody to January 23 for bail consideration. The complainant in this case is Esau Hondora (40).
Appearing for the State, prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi alleged that on January 11 this year, Hondora wanted to transport 32 060 kilogrammes of scrap metal from Zvishavane to Harare.Hondora engaged one Tafadzwa, who is known as a haulage truck transporter agent.
Ncube and Tafadzwa, however, allegedly hatched a plan and defrauded Hondora by using a national identity card and a drivers licence which belonged to one Kingston Muza.Ncube allegedly drove a red Scania horse and trailer truck to Zvishavane, where he met Hondora, presented himself as Kingston Muza and supported by the identity documents, despite him not being the owner the documents.
On January 12 and 13, the truck was loaded with 32 060kg of scrap metal and the two set off for Harare, with Hondora driving his private motor vehicle in front of the truck.When Ncube arrived at Harare’s showgrounds, he allegedly diverted the route and fled from Hondora.
It is alleged that Ncube went on to sell the scrap metal to Leonard Matera, who owns Simbi Alloy Company in Workington, Harare.Hondora’s efforts to locate Ncube on his cellphone number were in vain and he reported the matter to police. The police set up a trap, leading to Ncube’s arrest.
The court heard that Ncube led the police to 16 Coventry Road in Workington, Harare, where the scrap metal was identified, but is yet to be recovered.
Chonzi alleged that Ncube received US$7 000 for the scrap metal, instead of its value of US$25 648.
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