KWEKWE – A shocking breach of trust has rocked the Midlands town of Kwekwe after an ambulance technician employed by Redcliff Municipality and two young accomplices were convicted of theft for stealing cash and airtime from a road accident victim they were supposed to be saving.
The scandal, which has sparked outrage among residents and renewed concerns over the integrity of some emergency workers, was laid bare at the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court this week.
According to evidence presented in court, the incident occurred on 7 September 2025 along the busy Kwekwe–Redcliff Road. Ambulance technician Edius Mugonegwa, 40, responded to the accident as part of his official duties. He was tasked with administering first aid to an injured motorist who had been badly hurt in the crash.
But instead of focusing solely on his lifesaving role, Mugonegwa allegedly noticed bloodstained cash falling from the victim’s clothing during the process of rendering assistance. The amount totaled US$1,260 in cash along with US$10 worth of airtime vouchers.
Rather than securing the victim’s valuables for safekeeping – the expected professional and moral obligation of an emergency responder – Mugonegwa conspired with two accomplices, Pride Makamba (25) and Anashe Mukwamba (23), to keep the money and airtime for themselves.
The theft only came to light after the accident victim regained consciousness while receiving treatment at Kwekwe General Hospital. Upon recovering, the patient discovered that his money and airtime were missing. Suspicion immediately arose, as the valuables had been intact prior to the medical intervention at the scene.
The matter was promptly reported to the police, prompting swift action by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Kwekwe. Detectives managed to trace the stolen funds and, following their probe, arrested the trio in connection with the crime. A portion of the stolen money was later recovered during the investigation.
Kwekwe Ambulance Technician and Accomplices Convicted for Stealing From Crash Victim
The case was brought before the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court, where detailed testimony was heard. Prosecutors outlined how Mugonegwa, entrusted with the responsibility of saving lives, betrayed both his professional oath and the victim’s trust. His accomplices, Makamba and Mukwamba, were accused of acting in concert with him, effectively turning what should have been an emergency rescue into an opportunistic crime scene.
After careful consideration, the court found all three guilty of theft. In her ruling, the presiding magistrate underscored the gravity of the crime, stressing that society places significant trust in medical and emergency personnel. Breaching that trust, the magistrate said, not only harmed the victim but also risked eroding public confidence in first responders.
In terms of punishment, Mugonegwa – seen as the mastermind given his professional role – received the heaviest sentence. He was handed an 18-month jail term, with three months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. The remaining 15 months were commuted to 825 hours of community service.
His younger accomplices, Makamba and Mukwamba, each received 12-month prison sentences. Like Mugonegwa, three months were suspended for five years, while the remaining nine months were converted into 315 hours of community service each.
The court explained that while imprisonment was a suitable penalty, community service would allow the offenders to make some form of restitution to society, while also serving as a warning to others tempted to commit similar crimes.
News of the convictions has sent shockwaves across Kwekwe and Redcliff. Many residents expressed anger and disappointment that a municipal ambulance worker – entrusted with saving lives – could betray his professional duty in such a callous manner.
“This is very disturbing. We depend on ambulance crews to protect us during emergencies, not to take advantage of us when we are helpless,” said one Redcliff resident. Others urged Redcliff Municipality to tighten its vetting processes and institute stricter monitoring mechanisms for its emergency staff.
Civil society activists also weighed in, warning that such scandals could further erode trust in Zimbabwe’s already strained healthcare and emergency response system. They called for comprehensive ethics training for all first responders and stronger disciplinary action from employers against those found guilty of misconduct.
While the sentences handed down were non-custodial, legal experts argue the convictions serve as a crucial reminder that no one is above the law – not even those in positions of public trust.
“This judgment is a strong statement that abusing one’s professional position to exploit vulnerable people will not be tolerated,” a local lawyer told reporters outside the courthouse.
For the victim, partial recovery of the stolen funds and the convictions may provide some measure of justice, though the emotional betrayal may linger. For Kwekwe as a whole, the case is a sobering lesson in accountability and the importance of integrity in emergency services.
Source- Bulawayo24
