HARARE - A daring thief who took advantage of Vice President John Landa Nkomo’s burial and stole a vehicle at the National Heroes Acre has been brought before a Harare magistrate.

While the funeral procession was taking place, George Matongo allegedly schemed to steal the car, which he finally succeeded to take out of the national shrine, the court heard.

However, the 26-year-old’s ride was short-lived after he was stopped in Harare’s Graniteside industrial area by police officers and failed to produce a driver’s licence.

The court heard the vehicle belonged to Wonder Tried Dzuda who was part of thousands of mourners who thronged the National Heroes Acre to pay their last respects to Nkomo.

Police officers searched the vehicle and discovered Dzuda’s documents. They questioned Matongo who failed to give convincing answers and subsequently arrested him.

Matongo allegedly approached the vehicle and used an unknown object to open the doors, before making good his escape. After the burial, the court heard Dzuda proceeded to where he had parked his vehicle but found it missing.

He filed a report at Warren Park Police Station. Regional magistrate Simon Rogers Kachambwa yesterday remanded Matongo in custody to February 13 for trial. - Ivan Zhakata