A 22-year-year-old suspected thief died after a car he had allegedly stolen caught fire in unclear circumstances in Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central Province.
Tafadzwa Joshua Wenje had allegedly stolen a Toyota RunX after the owner had left the car unattended with the keys in the ignition port at a nightclub in Mt Darwin.
The incident occurred on Saturday at around 2.15am and when the owner returned, he discovered the car missing before making a follow up with a friend’s car.
They later caught up with the vehicle in flames with the nak3d body of Wenje, about 70 metres from the wreckage.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incidents.
“The ZRP is investigating a case of theft of a motor vehicle where Tafadzwa Joshua Wenje aged 22 stole a Toyota RunX vehicle after the complainant had left the car unattended with the keys in the ignition port, at a nightclub in Mt Darwin, on August 27, 2022 at around 2.15am.
“The complainant made a follow-up using a friend’s Toyota Hilux vehicle and found the car up in flames near the 3G Service station. The nak3d body of the suspect was seen about 67m from the wreckage with severe burns,” he said.
A security guard manning the service station, Chrispen Chawasarira informed the pair that the deceased approached the service station driving the vehicle.
He then parked 35 metres away and rushed out of the vehicle with his clothes in flames.
Hwenje clashed with the fuel pump and fell to the ground.
The vehicle was in flames and motion.
It moved 40 metres away from the service station and rested on a pole, before burning down.
Chawasarira helped to pull Hwenje out of the fire using sand buckets but he was badly burnt.
His body was positively identified by Vitals Kavari.
ZRP Mt Darwin attended the scene and the body was taken to Mt Darwin hospital.
— Herald
