A Rusape man, Promise Musendo, was convicted after stealing and selling his employer’s car on his first day at work. The court sentenced him to 36 months’ imprisonment with conditions including community service and restitution. The stolen Toyota Raum valued at US$2 000 has not yet been recovered.
A 32-year-old man from Chikuruwo Village in Gandanzara, under Chief Makoni, has been sentenced after stealing his employer’s vehicle on his first day at work and later selling it. Promise Musendo appeared before Rusape magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe, where he faced a charge of theft of trust property.
The court heard that Musendo, who is a self-employed mechanic, had been employed as a taxi driver when the offence occurred. He pleaded guilty to selling a Toyota Raum valued at US$2 000, which belonged to his employer, Mr Morgan Madimbu. Musendo was not represented during the court proceedings.
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Magistrate Mr Mahwe convicted Musendo and sentenced him to 36 months’ imprisonment. However, the sentence was structured with conditions. Twelve months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, while another 12 months were set aside on condition that restitution is made.
The remaining 12 months were also suspended on the condition that Musendo performs 420 hours of community service. The sentence reflects the court’s consideration of both punishment and conditions tied to behaviour and restitution following the offence.
Prosecutor Ms Faith Mutukwa told the court that Musendo committed the offence on the very day he was employed. According to her submission, Musendo disappeared with the vehicle and failed to return either the car or the agreed payments to his employer.
“On September 26, 2025, Musendo approached Mr Madimbu at his place of residence in Sabhabha Village, Nyabadza, Rusape, looking for a job as a taxi driver,” Ms Mutukwa told the court. She explained that the complainant agreed to employ him and entrusted him with the vehicle.
“Mr Madimbu agreed to offer Mr Musendo the job and gave him a Toyota Raum vehicle registration number ADG 4023, silver in colour,” she said. The court heard that the two had reached an agreement that Musendo would pay US$100 per week to his employer from the taxi business.
However, after receiving the vehicle, Musendo failed to honour the agreement. “The accused person took the vehicle and never returned to the complainant with the cash or the vehicle,” Ms Mutukwa said. This marked the beginning of the offence, as the vehicle remained unaccounted for.
The court further heard that Musendo later sought to dispose of the vehicle. “Musendo then looked for an agent only known by the name Majesa to help him sell the vehicle,” the prosecutor said. The vehicle was eventually sold through this arrangement.
On March 12, 2026, the complainant reported the matter to the police, leading to investigations and the eventual arrest of Musendo. The stolen vehicle, valued at US$2 000, has not yet been recovered, according to the court proceedings presented during the trial.
The case was treated under the law governing theft of trust property, which makes it illegal for an individual to convert or sell property entrusted to them by an employer. The court concluded that Musendo had acted unlawfully when he sold the vehicle that had been placed under his care.
