TWO men convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison for motor vehicle theft are back in court after successfully challenging both their conviction and sentence.
Zibusiso Moyo and Marvelous Gumede are undergoing a fresh trial before Taurai Manuwere.
The pair denies the car theft charge and was remanded to April 2 for trial continuation.
They are being represented by lawyer Tapiwa Solani, who argued that the vehicle was not stolen, claiming the accused used the truck and returned it without any problem.
The court heard that Moyo and Gumede were initially convicted last year by regional magistrate Mark Dzira, but their appeal resulted in the case being reopened.
During the proceedings, inconsistencies reportedly emerged in their testimonies under cross examination by prosecutor Nomthandazo Mafu.
Gumede claimed they encountered mechanical problems near Mbembesi and compensated with 20 litres of diesel a man who assisted them.
However, the State argued that their explanation was not credible, alleging that the accused took 250 litres of fuel and without the intention to return the vehicle and the fuel.
- Support poultry farming, govt urged
- Armed robbers get away with US$7K loot
- Trio nabbed for ivory possession
- Car theft convicts back in court on appeal
Keep Reading
Prosecutors contended that the pair intended to permanently deprive the owner of his property.
According to State papers, the incident occurred on August 12, 2025, when the complainant left a Leyland truck parked at a construction site in Upper Rangemore, Bulawayo.
The accused, who were employed as security guards at Khayalami Construction, allegedly drove the vehicle away which fuel in containers and empty containers.
The theft was discovered the following day when Njabulo Moyo, another employee found out that the truck and fuel were missing, prompting them to make a police report at Nkulumane Police Station.
Investigators led to the recovery of the vehicle on August 17 abandoned near Khami River in Umguza district.
Moyo and Gumede were arrested on October 22 in Mbembesi, where they were working as artisanal miners.
