Zim GBC News | Crimes and Courts
CHIPINGE – The Chipinge Magistrates’ Court has sentenced three men to effective prison terms ranging from two to four years following their conviction for stealing a motor vehicle and selling it for a fraction of its value.
Frank Tinotenda Bheri (18), Robert Pfaera (18), and Munashe Chikonde (21) appeared before the magistrate facing charges of theft of a motor vehicle after they stole an Isuzu KB 280 double cab in December 2025.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the vehicle belonged to a Chipinge resident who was away in Harare for work at the time of the incident.
Prosecutors revealed that Bheri led his two co-accused to the victim’s home, where they conspired to steal the vehicle before attempting to dispose of it as scrap metal.
“The trio then attempted to dispose of it by selling it as scrap metal,” the NPA confirmed in a statement detailing the case.
Court documents show that Bheri initiated the sale through a local company, with all three falsely claiming they were acting on behalf of their family. Chikonde served as the required witness to complete the transaction.
The vehicle, whose actual market value was not disclosed in court, was sold for a mere US$200.
The theft was uncovered when a colleague of the victim visited the house for a routine check and discovered the vehicle missing. A police report was immediately filed, leading to investigations that resulted in the arrest and eventual conviction of the three men.
Sentences Handed Down
The court delivered varying sentences based on each individual’s role in the crime:
· Frank Tinotenda Bheri (18): Received six years imprisonment, with four years suspended, leaving an effective two years to serve.
· Robert Pfaera (18): Sentenced to six years, with three years suspended, resulting in three years effective imprisonment.
· Munashe Chikonde (21): Also received six years, with one year suspended, leaving four years effective.
The suspended sentences are understood to be contingent on the offenders not committing similar offenses during specified periods.
The case highlights growing concerns over motor vehicle theft in Manicaland province and the trend of stolen vehicles being sold as scrap metal for quick cash.
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