Harare taxi driver loses car after picking hitch-hikers

By Auther Chimbgwa

A 36-year-old Harare taxi driver lost his car to three men who had flagged him down pretending to be genuine hitch-hikers in a daring car-jacking incident on Wednesday.

Godknows Pongolani was driving a silver Nissan March along Kirkman road while coming from Dzivarasekwa Extension and heading for the Harare city centre when he stopped to carry the three men who posed as genuine hitch-hikers.

The incident, according to police spokesperson for Harare Province Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, happened at around 7pm on Wednesday.

Also read: Soldier loses car to thieves after leaving key in ignition

Before Pongolani drove off after picking them, one of them grabbed him by the neck and the other pulled an object which bore the resemblance of a pistol and a knife, and went on to pull the car keys from the ignition.

“The suspects then demanded cash and a cell phone from the complainant,” Chakanza said.

“They then forcibly took the complainant’s Samsung A05 cell phone and US$80 from his pockets.”

They also removed his trousers, shoes and tied his hands using a mutton cloth.

“One of the accused persons dragged the complainant to the back seat with the other accused taking the driver’s seat and drove the car through a dust road just after the bridge towards Dzivaresekwa 2.

“After travelling about a kilometer, the accused persons forced the complainant to disembark from his car and they drove off,” Chakanza said.

The car belongs to Tinashe Chiripamberi of Prospect Waterfalls who is the employer to Pongolani.

Pongolani, who also resides in Waterfalls, then made a report at Dzivaresekwa police station.

The total value stolen is US$4,390.