Ambulance Technician and Accomplices Convicted for Stealing From Accident Victim in Kwekwe
An ambulance technician with Redcliff Municipality and two accomplices have been convicted of theft after stealing cash and airtime from a road accident victim they were supposed to assist.
The Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday convicted Edius Mugonegwa (40), together with Pride Makamba (25) and Anashe Mukwamba (23), for stealing US$1,260 in cash and US$10 worth of airtime from an injured man.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the crime occurred on 7 September 2025 when Mugonegwa responded to a traffic accident along the Kwekwe–Redcliff Road. While administering first aid, bloodstained cash fell from the victim’s pocket. Instead of safeguarding the money, Mugonegwa allegedly connived with Makamba and Mukwamba to take it for their personal use.
The victim only discovered the theft after regaining consciousness at Kwekwe General Hospital and immediately reported the matter to police. Swift investigations by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Kwekwe led to the trio’s arrest, and part of the stolen money was recovered.
Magistrate’s Court sentenced Mugonegwa to 18 months imprisonment, with three months suspended for five years and 15 months converted to 825 hours of community service. Makamba and Mukwamba each received 12 months imprisonment, with three months suspended for five years and nine months converted to 315 hours of community service.
In a statement, the NPAZ condemned the abuse of trust by the convicts, saying medical and emergency workers carry a duty to protect accident victims rather than exploit them.“Abuse of trust is unacceptable. Medical and emergency workers have an obligation to safeguard those in their care, not to take advantage of their vulnerability,” the NPAZ said.
