The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
A 24-YEAR-OLD Chipinge kombi conductor was last week arraigned before the courts for allegedly stealing airtime worth $11 000.
Reason Masiiwa, who works for Matabuka Omnibuses based at Checheche Growth Point, appeared before Mr Poterai Gwezhira facing theft charges.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.
District public prosecutor, Mr Gift Bikita, said on February 22 at around 2pm, the complainant – Susan Mapumisa – who is employed as a cashier at Wintok Investment went to Chipinge Hotel with the intention of sending a parcel to Checheche Growth Point.
The parcel contained airtime recharge cards worth $11 000 which were meant for resell.
“Mapumisa gave the recharge cards to the suspect who introduced himself as the conductor of the Matabuka kombi that plies the Checheche-Chipinge route. She requested the suspect to drop the parcel at Winkton Investments at Checheche the same day.
“The suspect agreed to do so and assured her that he would deliver the parcel that very day,” said Mr Bikita.
The court heard that the suspect did not honour his promise.
He disappeared and started selling the airtime recharge cards for his personal gain.
The complainant then reported the matter to the police after making several attempts to contact Masiiwa on the cell number he had given her.
“A tip-off was received by the police to the effect that the accused person, who was on the run, was seen at DaPlace Night Club at Checheche Growth Point.
“He was subsequently arrested at the night club. Police details immediately searched him and recovered airtime recharge cards worth $2 800 from his pocket.
“After interrogations, the suspect revealed that he had left outstanding airtime in Chiredzi.
“A total of $6 991 worth of airtime recharge cards were recovered in Chiredzi at a house in Tshovane Township through indications made by the suspect.
“A total of $20 airtime recharge was also recovered from Angeline Dzedze who operates a general dealer shop at Vheneka Business Centre,” said Mr Bikita.
