Motorist deliberately crashes own vehicle during carjacking incident
By Staff Reporter
A motorist deliberately crashed his vehicle during a hijacking incident in what then led to the injury and immediate arrest of a hitchhiker who had robbed him of US$5 some moments earlier.
King Kamungeremu offered a lift to two hitchhikers in Chitungwiza last July as he drove to Harare from Chitungwiza.
But what he believed to be genuine passengers seeking transport from him immediately turned his tormenters when they pulled a pellet gun and forced him to surrender a wallet containing US$5.
For the crime, Blessing Moyo (38) was jailed 14 years effective by a Harare magistrate Letwin Rwodzi.
Moyo was initially handed a 20-year jail sentence before part of the prison term was set aside on condition.
He was arrested at a road accident scene deliberately caused by Kamungeremu.
It was double misfortune for the robber who entrapped inside the car.
Moyo was found in possession of his victim’s wallet and a pellet gun he and his accomplice, still at large, had used moments earlier to commit the offence.
He was charged with two counts of robbery.
During trial, prosecutors proved that Moyo and his accomplice, were offered a lift by Kamungeremu from St Mary’s clinic with the former sitting in the back seat.
When they got to Manyame River Bridge, his accomplice who occupied the front passenger seat took out a pistol which he pointed at Kamungeremu while ordering him to surrender his car and other valuables.
“Kamungeremu surrendered his wallet which contained US$5,” the court was told.
“The complainant was then instructed to turn left into a nearby dust road.”
In panic, Kamungeremu instead tried to drive towards Kabrit Zimbabwe National Army camp’s main gate which is manned by soldiers hoping to find some rescue.
The military camp is located along the highway linking Chitungwiza and Harare.
However, before he could even get to the army camp, Kamungeremu drove desperately against oncoming traffic.
His car was hit at the back by two cars.
He then stopped the car and screamed for help from other motorists.
Moyo’s accomplice fled from the scene, leaving his colleague trapped in the car.
The court further heard that during their searches, the good Samaritans who helped Kamungeremu managed to recover a pellet gun which the robbers had used.
