Edwin Moyo
A Gweru cabman will rue the day he fell for the old trick, when a passenger asked to have a feel of his car and gave him US$10 to buy drinks on their way to see his girlfriend as the customer disappeared with the car at high speed.
Amos Mabiginye hired Nigel Gombakomba to go and see his girlfriend and asked the taxi driver to change roles as he wanted to impress his lover and asked the latter to go and buy drinks at a shopping centre, that is when he drove off, much to the surprise of the cabman.
Police received the report of the case which occurred at Nehosho Business Centre in Senga, Gweru on 10 February 2024 at about 1400 hours.
Circumstances are that on 10 February 2024 at about 1400 hours, Nigel Gombakomba (25) of Athlone, Gweru who operates a pirate taxi from Gweru town to Southdowns suburb was hired by Amos Mabiginye (40) of 19C Second Avenue, Inyathi, to Senga suburbs, Gweru purporting to be visiting a girlfriend.
Along the way Mabiginye requested to drive the vehicle so that he will impress his girlfriend. Gombakomba complied and gave him the chance to drive.
He drove to Chirandu Business Centre where he gave Gombakomba US$10 and asked him to buy him a drink in one of the shops. As Gombakomba entered the shop, Mabiginye drove off at high speed towards Gweru Central Business District.
Upon seeing this Gombakomba sought assistance from another motorist and chased after him. Mabiginye went to Puma service station at TM Megawatt complex to fuel the vehicle. Gombakomba arrived and blocked the exit way.
On seeing that he had been blocked the suspect got out of the car and tried to run away. He was subsequently caught by an alert security guard at the service station. He was escorted to the Police station where a report was filed.
Meanwhile Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko warned motorists against carjackers and urged drivers to always examine clients who hire their vehicles.
The suspect appeared in court and was further remanded in custody to February 22.
