By Panashe Divine Karidzagundi
A 37-year-old man from Beitbridge has been jailed for 30 months after he was convicted of stealing a Toyota Fortuner and valuables from a local clearing agent in August this year.
Tawedzegwa Hove, of House Number 2280 Mashavire, appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Charity Maphosa facing a charge of car theft.
He was initially sentenced to 48 months in prison, but 18 months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him with an effective 30-month term.
According to the state, the incident occurred on 5 August 2025 when the complainant, Sikhumbuzo Mhlanga (35), parked his silver Toyota Fortuner GD6 (registration AGO 5444) outside his mother’s home in Mashavire.
He left the engine running with the keys in the ignition while he briefly went into the yard.
Inside the vehicle were US$300, ZAR 1 200, an iPhone 13 Pro Max, and a Samsung phone with a South African line.
Prosecutor Willbrought Muleya told the court that Hove and his accomplices seized the opportunity, got into the vehicle, and sped off.
During the getaway, they allegedly removed the vehicle’s tracking device in an attempt to evade detection.
Mhlanga later managed to trace the vehicle’s movements and, on 10 August 2025, confronted and apprehended Hove.
The recovery led to the return of the stolen Toyota Fortuner.
The magistrate noted that Hove acted unlawfully and in coordination with accomplices who are still at large.
The stolen property was valued at US$37 120, and items worth US$36 000 were eventually recovered.