Ambulance thief a council ranger

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Codelia Mondela, Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO City Council ranger who allegedly stole an ambulance at Mpilo Central Hospital’s parking bay appeared in court yesterday.

Thulani Genqe (34), who is suspected to be mentally unstable, asked for a lift to Matshobana suburb from the ambulance driver Mr Estance Sibanda (40) on Saturday and his request was turned down.

A court heard that Mr Sibanda then left the ambulance at one of the hospital’s parking bays as he went inside to check on a nurse, Mr Sunungurayi Chiwanire, who was with a patient.

Mr Sibanda came out of the hospital and saw Genqe driving away the ambulance worth $15 000.

Genqe was not asked to plead to a charge of theft of a motor vehicle before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Sharon Rosemani.

He was remanded in custody to tomorrow.

Prosecuting, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo alleged that Mr Sibanda arrived at Mpilo from Binga in the company of Chiwanire and a patient they were bringing to Mpilo.

“Chiwanire proceeded to the Casualty Department and Genqe approached Mr Sibanda requesting for transport to Matshobana suburb, but Mr Sibanda refused,” he said.

The court heard that Mr Sibanda went to refuel the ambulance and later returned to the hospital.

“He parked the motor vehicle at one of the Ambulance Parking Bays and rushed to the Casualty Department to inform the nurse that he was back. He left the engine running with the car keys in the ignition as the vehicle has an electrical fault,” Mr Dlodlo said.

“Mr Sibanda returned after about two minutes, only to discover that Genqe was now reversing the vehicle which he then drove due south east towards the hospital’s main gate.”

The court heard that Genqe was arrested during the same day at around 6PM at Mabutweni shopping Centre. He led police to a bushy area near Ngozi mine where he had dumped the ambulance and it was recovered.

@MondelaC

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