The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa Weekender Correspondent
A TEENAGE tout who allegedly duped a 72-year-old cross border trader of 3 000 rand just after she disembarked a bus from South Africa has been dragged before a Mutare court facing theft charges.
Sydney Chikowa (18) however, denied the theft charges when he appeared before Mr Innocent Bepura on Thursday
He was remanded in custody to May 29 for trial. Public prosecutor, Mr Fletcher Karombe had opposed the granting of bail to Chikowa saying he was of no fixed abode.
Allegations were that on May 10 at Mudzviti Rank, the complainant Rosemary Kombore disembarked a Pioneer bus that was coming from South Africa.
Since she had luggage, Chikowa is alleged to have approached her and asked to carry her luggage to Hobhouse Rank for a dollar.
The complainant turned down the suspect’s offer but he kept on insisting. The complainant subsequently lost her wallet which contained her money and passport.
The court heard that the complainant immediately made preliminary investigations and suspected that Chikowa had stolen from her. However, the suspect was nowhere to be seen.
With the help of bystanders, the complainant chased the suspect who was running towards the railway line and caught up with him.
He was searched and the wallet containing the cash and passport was recovered from his pocket. In his defence, the suspect told the court that he was being framed. The matter goes for trial on May 29.
