Tendai Muererwa
Mutare-A Mutare man who allegedly went out for a drinking and braai session with a hired Honda Jazz reportedly left the party with more than a full stomach after he allegedly drove away with the vehicle and his girlfriend.
Allan Richard Masiye (30) of Hobhouse 2, Mutare has since been arrested after police recovered the Honda Jazz, registration number AFL 6562, in Gimboki. The drama began on August 14 when Masiye allegedly hired the vehicle from Tanaka Chiyadzwa (27) in Mutare’s Central Business District for a trip to Chikanga.
Instead of simply completing the trip, Masiye allegedly suggested that the two stop at TM Business Centre for a braai. His girlfriend later joined them, turning what had started as a taxi arrangement into an impromptu social gathering. While the meat was being prepared, Chiyadzwa reportedly left Masiye and his girlfriend near the vehicle and went to check on the braai. The vehicle was allegedly left with the keys in the ignition.
When Chiyadzwa returned a few minutes later both Masiye and the Honda Jazz had disappeared. At first Chiyadzwa reportedly thought Masiye had simply taken the vehicle for a short drive and would return. But as minutes turned into hours, the missing car became less of a joke.
By around 10pm, Chiyadzwa tried calling Masiye, but his calls went unanswered before the suspect’s phone was switched off. With no sign of the vehicle or its occupant, Chiyadzwa reported the matter to ZRP Chikanga the following day. The story took another turn when members of the public later spotted the Honda Jazz parked near Marori Tuckshops in Gimboki. Masiye was reportedly seen inside the vehicle for several hours, prompting suspicious residents to alert the police.
Officers from Dangamvura Police Station attended the scene and established that the vehicle had been reported stolen. Masiye was arrested and the Honda Jazz was recovered.
Manicaland province acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the arrest and urged members of the public to exercise caution when entrusting their vehicles to strangers. He said police would continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and warned motorists to avoid leaving vehicles unattended with keys in the ignition, even for short periods.
For Chiyadzwa, what started as a seemingly ordinary braai ended with an empty parking spot, unanswered calls and a missing Honda Jazz a reminder that sometimes the person sharing your meat may also have plans for your motor vehicle.
