Man Arrested After Disappearing With Hired Honda Fit During Braai

A 30-year-old man who allegedly hired a Honda Fit and then disappeared with it during a drinking and braai outing in Chikanga, Mutare, has been arrested.

The suspect has been identified as Allan Richard Masiye. He was arrested by police after the vehicle was spotted parked for hours in Gimboki.

According to police, the owner and driver of the vehicle, Tanaka Chiyadzwa (27), met Masiye in Mutare’s Central Business District on 14 August. Masiye hired the Honda Fit, registration number AFL 6562, for a trip to Chikanga, and the two drove to TM Business Centre.

At TM, Masiye suggested they have a braai. He was later joined by his girlfriend and the trio spent time together while their meat was being prepared.

Police said Chiyadzwa then left the pair seated in the vehicle and went to check on the meat, leaving the keys in the ignition.

“When he returned a few minutes later, he discovered that the vehicle was no longer parked where he had left it,” police said in a statement.

At first, Chiyadzwa thought Masiye had briefly driven off with his girlfriend and would return. The hours passed with no return. He waited until about 10 pm before trying to call Masiye. The calls went unanswered – the suspect’s mobile phone had been switched off.

The following day, 15 August, after failing to establish contact, Chiyadzwa reported the matter at ZRP Chikanga.

Later that same day, members of the public spotted the missing vehicle parked near Marori tuckshops in Gimboki suburb. Masiye was reportedly seen sitting inside the car for several hours, which raised suspicion among residents.

At around 6 pm, concerned residents alerted police officers from Dangamvura, who attended the scene to verify the situation.

Checks revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen at ZRP Chikanga. Masiye was immediately arrested, and the Honda Fit was recovered.

The suspect and the vehicle were taken to ZRP Dangamvura, where Masiye was detained. The recovered vehicle is being held as an exhibit before being handed over to ZRP Chikanga as part of ongoing investigations.

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