A 22-year-old Mutare Teachers’ College student is lucky to be alive after she was shoved out of a moving car by three robbers who had just stolen her phone.
Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incident, which happened around midday last week along the road to Golden Peacock Hotel.
The victim, Alice Muyambo of Nyabhara Compound in Penhalonga, had boarded a white Nissan Tiida from Mutare’s Central Business District on her way back to college. Said Chinyoka:
“The vehicle was being driven by 23-year-old Leslie Munyau of Hobhouse 3, who has since been arrested, while two of his accomplices, identified only as Kudakwashe Muneri and one known as Denzy, are still on the run.”
Chinyoka said the ordeal began when Muyambo noticed that her Samsung A02S cellphone had been taken and stashed in the vehicle’s dashboard. He said:
“She took out her other phone and called the stolen phone and it rang from the dashboard.
“She then confronted the driver and demanded her phone back. However, instead of stopping, Munyau allegedly accelerated the vehicle.
“Muneri and Denzy pushed Muyambo from the back seat into the front passenger seat, before the passenger door was flung open by one of the two men.
“Munyau was then allegedly shoved her out of the speeding vehicle, with her left leg briefly trapped under the car.”
Chinyoka said two officers from ZRP Chikanga, who happened to be passing by, witnessed the commotion and quickly stepped in. He said:
“The two officers confronted the three men, who were still in their vehicle, prompting Munyau to throw the stolen cellphone back at Muyambo.
“His two accomplices bolted from the scene, while the officers managed to arrest Munyau and escort him to ZRP Sakubva.
“Muyambo was rushed to Victoria Chitepo Hospital, where she was treated for minor injuries.
“The stolen cellphone, valued at US$75, was recovered.”
Chinyoka commended the quick thinking and alertness of the officers who arrested Munyau. He said:
“This was a callous act that could have easily cost the young woman her life.
“The bravery of our officers who intervened prevented the situation from becoming worse.”
