Zimpapers Logo

Adelaide Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
A SUSPECTED cellphone thief died when he fell into a stormdrain while fleeing a group of children who chased after him after spotting him stealing the gadget from a car.

Future Mkhize, 18, died on Friday last week.

The officer commanding Victoria Falls District, Chief Superintendent Jairos Chiwona, said investigations were underway.

“I can confirm that we received a report of a suspect who died while fleeing a group of children after stealing a cellphone,” he said.

Children who were playing on the streets spotted Mkhize allegedly stealing the phone and gave chase.

Sources said Mkhize, who is of no fixed abode, stole a G-Tel A7000 cellphone handset from a car that was parked in front of a house in Chinotimba suburb.

They said Mkhize was injured just after 2PM and died at 6PM at Victoria Falls District Hospital.

“Future stole a cellphone from Anderson Shoniwa’s vehicle which was parked outside a house in Chinotimba.

“Shonhiwa, who is employed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, left his phone on the front seat with the windows open. Mkhize fished out the phone and ran away,” said the source.

Shoniwa’s wife Emmaculate Makombe noticed that the cellphone was missing and alerted her husband, who immediately drove to make a report to the police.

On his way to the station, Shoniwa saw Mkhize being chased by children who were shouting “thief”.

“Mkhize later fell into a storm drain and sustained injuries on both palms, legs and mouth,” said the source.

The phone was recovered and Mkhize was rushed to hospital where he later died.