BY LWANDLE MTHUNZI
A Victoria Falls man has leant the hard way that crime does not pay after he got injured, following an accident while driving a stolen vehicle.
Thulani Tshuma (22) of Chinotimba stole a car belonging Gilbert Mthokozisi Nkomo, a clearing agent based in the resort city.
Nkomo had parked his vehicle at Cotton Club nightclub where he was drinking beer when Tshuma broke a window and drove off using spare keys that he allegedly found on the dashboard.
He drove along Park Way road, but was involved in an accident after the vehicle veered off the road and overturned at the Elephant Hills Hotel turn off.
Tshuma sustained bruises all over the body and was rushed to Victoria Falls Hospital where he was later arrested for malicious damage to property, driving without a valid drivers’ licence and negligent driving.
He appeared before magistrate Goodswill Mavenge who remanded him in custody to 11 January for appearance at the Hwange regional court.
For the state, Audrey Mukanganya said on 26 December the complainant parked his motor vehicle, a Toyota Vitz at a car park opposite Chicken Inn and locked the doors before entering Cotton Club nightclub.
“Around 3am the accused went to the car and smashed a left front window and entered the car, “Mukanganya said.
“He took spare keys on the dashboard and started the vehicle and drove along Park Way towards Elephant Hills Hotel. ”
On approaching the hotel turn off, Tshuma allegedly lost control of the vehicle which veered off the road and overturned, landing on its roof.
He abandoned the car and walked towards Victoria Falls City Council waterworks where he was found sleeping the following morning, with bruises all over the body and was taken to Victoria Falls Hospital.
Nkomo noticed in the morning that his car was missing and reported to the police.
Investigations led to the arrest of Nkomo at the hospital.
His phone and shoes were found in the car.
The car was extensively damaged.