A 46-year-old man from Mberengwa has been sentenced to four years in prison by the Zvishavane Magistrates Court for car theft.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Hlangabeza Mabhula, also known as Benjamin Kutira or Joseph Moyo, was charged with theft and possession of articles for criminal use.
Mabhula, who resides in Maribha Village, Chief Mataruse, Mberengwa, faced these charges following his arrest. Said the NPA:
<blockquote>
On the 5th of November 2024, at around 7:30 PM, the complainant parked his Toyota Funcargo next to his bedroom window.
He secured the vehicle by closing all windows, locking the doors, and taking the car keys with him before going to bed.
Around 3 AM on the 6th November 2024, the accused person approached the complainant’s residence wearing a balaclava and a glove, forced open the locked doors of the complainant’s Toyota Funcargo, managed to start the vehicle without the keys and damaged the ignition system in the process.
</blockquote>
Awakened by the engine noise, the car owner peeked through the window and saw Mabhula reversing the car. Said the NPA:
<blockquote>
He rushed outside, threw a stone behind the rear wheel, and stopped the vehicle. The accused person came out of the car, armed with a kitchen knife, and charged towards the complainant, who managed to flee.
The complainant was able to apprehend the accused person near Mandava Cemetery with the help of the public.
In addition to the stolen car, the police found the accused person in possession of a balaclava, a kitchen knife, a table knife, a makeshift screwdriver, and an okapi knife.
</blockquote>
Mabhula was sentenced as follows: for stealing the car, he received 6 years imprisonment, with 2 years suspended, resulting in an effective 4-year prison term.
For possession of articles for criminal use (balaclava, gloves, knives) and an okapi knife, he was fined US$200 or 2 months imprisonment.
The items used in the crime were forfeited to the state and will be destroyed.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

A man named Mabhula in Mberengwa was caught trying to steal a car and was sentenced to four years in prison. He broke into a house, started the car without the keys, and damaged it. The owner saw him, stopped the car, and Mabhula tried to attack him with a knife. The police caught him with stolen items and he was fined. Mabhula will spend four years in prison for stealing the car and possessing criminal articles. The stolen items will be destroyed.

46-Year-Old Mberengwa Man Sentenced To Four Years For Car Theft

A 30-year-old Bulawayo car dealer-cum socialite, Brighton Chipunza, also known as “Dash,” was set to appear in court on Tuesday morning in connection with the theft of a South African registered Toyota Fortuner.
The vehicle was stolen from a car wash in Bulawayo’s Central Business District (CBD) last week.
According to documents gleaned by the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/flashy-bulawayo-car-dealer-arrested-for-stealing-luxury-vehicle-from-car-wash/">Chronicle</a>, Chipunza was implicated in the crime after his WhatsApp chats with the supposed buyer and his accomplice in Harare were discovered.
The vehicle was recovered from a suspected accomplice, Julius Chitubhu, in Harare, with the help of a vehicle tracking company and police detectives.
Chitubhu has appeared in court and was remanded out of custody to December 11 on ZiG10,000 bail for the commencement of trial.
Chipunza’s case was delayed as the State and his defence failed to agree on interviewing the investigating officer.
It is alleged that on November 18 at 10 AM, Silibaziso Ncube assigned her employee, Jonathan Ngando Thuli, to take the vehicle to the Tunnel car wash for cleaning. Read the document:
<blockquote>
He then drove the vehicle to the car wash and left it with Panashe Dube who works at the car wash. Dube cleaned the vehicle and parked it outside the car wash under a tree shed.
He secured the vehicle by locking all the doors and windows and took the car keys with him to the car wash where he placed them on top of the hoover and continued with his daily duties
</blockquote>
At around 4 PM on the same day, Ncube went to the car wash to collect her vehicle and was shocked to find it missing.
Upon inquiring with the staff, she learned that the vehicle had been stolen. She promptly reported the matter to the police.
Members of the Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS) checked the car wash and discovered that the CCTV cameras at the facility had been deactivated. Read the document:
<blockquote>
Dube who was left cleaning the motor vehicle stated that he saw Ncube’s vehicle leaving the premises and thought that it was being driven by her. He also checked for the car keys and discovered that they were missing.
</blockquote>
On November 19 the tracking system affixed to the vehicle indicated that it was in Harare. Reads the document:
<blockquote>
The stolen vehicle was found parked at Chitunhu’s yard with the front and rear number plates missing. The engine chassis number had also been ground off.
A grinder, 2x stencils, acid and 3x spray paints were recovered from the vehicle upon interviewing Chitunhu who then implicated Chipunza.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A man named Brighton, who is a car dealer and socialite, was arrested for stealing a fancy car from a car wash in Bulawayo. The car was found in Harare, and another man was also arrested. The car was missing its number plates and had been tampered with. The thief was caught because the car had a tracking device. The car wash's CCTV cameras were turned off when the car was stolen. Brighton's case is still ongoing, and the investigation is not over yet. The car's owner reported the theft to the police.

Bulawayo Car Dealer Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Luxury Vehicle From Car Wash

A 24-year-old man from Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge, has been arrested after allegedly faking the theft of a rented vehicle.
Douglas Chinoona had conspired with a friend to illegally export the car to Lusaka, Zambia, with plans to sell it there.
Chinoona told <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/man-loses-hired-car-money-meant-for-lobola/">H-Metro</a> that he lost US$2,400 intended for a lobola ceremony and a white Toyota GD6 (AGE 4106) he had rented from Good 2 Go Car Rental while staying at a lodge in Harare.
He claimed that he had booked the lodge for one night on his way to Murehwa for the ceremony.
While at the lodge, Chinoona claimed he was awakened by staff who informed him that two men had arrived with a set of keys, claiming they were authorised by the car rental company to retrieve the vehicle. He subsequently reported the alleged theft at Mabelreign Police Station.
However, in a statement issued on Friday, Good 2 Go Car Rental revealed that investigations by the Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS) concluded that Chinoona had fabricated the robbery. The investigation confirmed that he had indeed colluded with his friend to export the car illegally.
Chinoona has since been arrested and is facing charges of vehicle theft and providing false information to the police.
The car rental company also asserted that Chinoona neither had the money for lobola nor any genuine intention to pay. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
Our attention has been drawn to an article published in lifestyle tabloid H-Metro on Friday 1 November 2024, in which the writer alleges that one Douglas Chinoona was robbed of our Toyota Hilux and US$2400 purportedly for lobola, was also stolen. 
The matter of fact is that we did hire the vehicle in question (pictured below) to Chinoona on Sunday 27 October.
The following day, Monday 28 October, he called to inform us that the vehicle had been stolen at a lodge in Mabelreign and he reported the matter to Mabelreign Police Station. 
Upon investigations by the Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS), it emerged that Chinoona faked a robbery and connived with his friend to illegally export the car to Lusaka, Zambia and sell it there. 
Chinoona, who has since been arrested and is in Police custody facing charges of vehicle theft and the supply of false information to the Police, had neither money for lobola nor the intention to pay any -it was just a tactic he tried to use to fool Good 2 Go Car Rental, as well as the police. 
Be guided accordingly.
<img alt="May be an image of car" decoding="async" src="https://scontent.fhre1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/465273246_122187590762082498_8456384098220608033_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&amp;ccb=1-7&amp;_nc_sid=833d8c&amp;_nc_ohc=YO-fZNSVdwAQ7kNvgE9gyds&amp;_nc_zt=23&amp;_nc_ht=scontent.fhre1-2.fna&amp;_nc_gid=AE7FUnH0b31-glyPyCDsPFt&amp;oh=00_AYDUDQ7BjtoD1cmTQqBDRdqPDjxky4pv0Bx48TBgTXI0Mw&amp;oe=672B9F8F"/>
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A man named Douglas faked the theft of a car he rented and tried to sell it in another country. He said he lost money for a ceremony and the car. But, it turns out he lied. The car rental company found out he was making everything up with his friend. Now, Douglas is in trouble with the police for lying and stealing the car. He did not have the money he said he lost, and he never planned to pay. So, he made everything up to trick the rental company and the police.

From Rental To Robbery: Man Fakes Theft, Sells Rented Toyota GD6 Vehicle

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has urged motorists to refrain from leaving their vehicle engines running when they stop and need to disembark, as thieves may exploit the situation and steal their vehicles.
This comes after an unsuspecting motorist in Eastlea, Harare lost their vehicle to a thief. The incident occurred on Friday when the motorist stopped the vehicle, left the engine idling, and disembarked to open the gate.
According to the police, as the victim was opening the gate, an unknown suspect swiftly jumped into the vehicle and drove off. Said the ZRP:
<blockquote>
ZRP urges the public not to leave vehicle engines idling if they stop and want to do something after disembarking. This follows a case of theft of a motor vehicle which occurred in Eastlea, Harare on 10/05/24 in which an Orange Proton Gen 2 GLS vehicle registration number ADR 5543 was stolen. The victim disembarked his vehicle and left the engine running while he went to open the gate when an unknown suspect got into the vehicle and drove away.
</blockquote>
Police have appealed for anyone with information that may lead to the recovery of the vehicle to report to the nearest police station.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZRP Warns Motorists: Don’t Leave Vehicle Engines Running

A 34-year-old Zimbabwean national, Loaded Maguta, who was arrested in South Africa last month for possession of a stolen vehicle, a Toyota Fortuner, will appear at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court again this week where his bail application will be considered.
South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, told <a href="https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/more-nights-in-jail-for-man-arrested-trying-to-smuggle-stolen-toyota-fortuner-to-zimbabwe-3757ab58-50cd-462f-87cd-ead5e242ea37">IOL</a> that Maguta appeared in court last week, and he was remanded in custody until Thursday, 09 November. He said:
<blockquote>
The suspect, Loaded Maguta appeared on November 2, for formal bail, he is remanded in police custody until November 9, for further police investigations.
</blockquote>
The Toyota Fortuner sport utility vehicle, which was recovered during Maguta’s arrest, was reported stolen in Gauteng.
Maguta was arrested near the Beitbridge border post. He has been linked to a vehicle smuggling syndicate operating between Gauteng and Limpopo provinces.
The Zimbabwean national was nabbed after a high-speed chase with SAPS from the Kuschke Agriculture School until the Toyota Fortuner came to a stop along the R101 Road.
Maguta was reportedly driving without a valid driving licence, and it was also established that he was in South Africa illegally.
He is now facing charges including breaching immigration laws, possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle, and driving a motor vehicle without a valid driving licence.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwean Man (34) Arrested In South Africa Trying To Smuggle Stolen Toyota Fortuner Remanded In Custody

Police in South Africa on Saturday, 11 February recovered a Silver Toyota Avanza that was stolen in Harare.
The vehicle was recovered by the Maitland Flying Squad after receiving a tip-off.
Three suspects aged 18, 31, and 38 were arrested and were expected to appear in court. SA police said in a statement:
<blockquote>
… on Saturday, 11 February 2023 at approximately 07:40, members attached to Maitland Flying Squad received information while on patrol about a hijacked vehicle (Silver Toyota Avanza).
They immediately operationalized all the leads and spotted the vehicle parked inside premises in 43 Block Makhaza.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle was hijacked in Harare earlier this month.
The members further requested to conduct a search in the house and recovered a firearm with the serial number removed and it was loaded with one round of ammunition.
Three suspects aged 18, 31, and 38 were arrested for possession of a hijacked vehicle and possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.
Once charged they are expected to appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on the mentioned charges.
</blockquote>

South African Police Recover Vehicle Stolen In Harare

A man from Luveve suburb in Bulawayo has appeared in court facing charges of making a false report to the police.
Elias Mamera (29) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Busani Sibanda facing charges of deliberately supplying false information to a public authority as defined in Section 180 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
He was not asked to plead and was granted $20 000 bail.
It is alleged that Mamera made a false report of a purported theft to the police claiming Clinton Tarugamuchira Muregere, a mechanic, had sold his vehicle which he had left with him for repairs.
On 4 September 2022 and at around 6 PM, Mamera went to ZRP Bulawayo Central Police Station and reported that on 22 July 2022 he left his motor vehicle, a Honda CRV, to Muregere so that he could fix it.
Mamera went on to state that Muregere, after repairing the motor vehicle, sold it without his consent.
A case of theft of a motor vehicle was then opened and a docket was sent to CID Vehicle Theft Squad in Bulawayo for investigations.
However, following investigations, the police established that Mamera had actually sold the vehicle to Muregere and was paid part of the payment and Muregere was still owing him a balance of US$470.
Mamera was immediately arrested and taken to court to answer charges of making a false criminal report. | <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/man-arrested-for-false-report-of-motor-vehicle/">B-Metro</a>

Man In Court For Making False Criminal Report

A suspected car thief died in horrific circumstances on Saturday morning in Mt Darwin shortly after stealing the vehicle from its unsuspecting owner.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said the owner of the vehicle, a Toyota Runx, had parked the car at a nightclub but left it unattended with the keys on the ignition port just after 2 AM.
The suspect, Tafadzwa Joshua Wenje (22), pounced on the vehicle and drove away but was found dead, with severe burns while the stolen vehicle was in flames. ZRP said:
<blockquote>
The ZRP is investigating a case of theft of a motor vehicle where Tafadzwa Joshua Wenje (22) stole a Toyota Runx vehicle after the complainant had left the car unattended with the keys on the ignition port, at a nightclub in Mt Darwin, on 27/08/22 at around 0215 hours.
The complainant made a follow-up using a friend’s Toyota Hilux vehicle and found the car in flames near the 3G Service station. The naked body of the suspect was seen about 67m from the wreckage with severe burns.
</blockquote>
In an unrelated incident, police said they are investigating a murder case which occurred at Big Boom Mine, Kwekwe, on Friday.
The victim was stabbed with a knife and died after he tried to restrain two men from assaulting another man while they were drinking beer. Police said:
<blockquote>
Misheck Makuvaza (25) was assaulted by three suspects only known as Dunmore Mhosva, Dingani Bhamala and Shelton Mapolisa, after he tried to restrain the suspects from assaulting Isaac Simango (42), at a beer binge.
One of the suspects drew a knife from his pockets and stabbed the victim once on the left thigh.
The victim was taken to Kwekwe General Hospital, where he died on 27/08/22 while admitted.
</blockquote>

Stolen Car Catches Fire, Thief (22) Found Dead And Severely Burnt

A 37-year-old man from Chief Samambwa area, Zhombe, lost his car to thieves at a lodge in Kwekwe on Monday night.
Kudakwashe Mahwite (37) parked his vehicle, a Silver Honda fit opposite City Lodge entrance at about 11 PM and then locked the doors before retiring to bed.
However, the following morning at around 6 AM, Mahwite discovered that his vehicle was missing and a report was made at Kwekwe Central Police Station.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Midlands Province Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident. He said:
<blockquote>
Police are investigating a case of theft of a motor vehicle that occurred at City Lodge, Kwekwe during the night of 20 December 2021.
… We appeal to members of the public with information that may lead to the recovery of the vehicle and arrest culprits in the theft to approach any nearest Police station.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/man-loses-car-at-lodge/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Man Loses Car To Thieves At Kwekwe Lodge

33-year-old Chido Abel Chifeku, a resident of Plumtree’s Dingimuzi suburb was arrested for allegedly stealing a car he had sold to a high school teacher 13 days before.
Chifeku reportedly sold his motor vehicle, a Toyota Raum to Irvine Muzenda for US$1 100 through his friend Yeukai Jimu on 15 October 2021.
Muzenda (34), is a teacher at Imvimila High School.
The two parties agreed that Muzenda would pay US$600 to Chifeku and pay the remaining balance of US$500 by 31 December 2021.
Chifeku then handed over the car (which had no tyres at the time) and its original registration papers and one key to Muzenda.
After being given the vehicle Muzenda reportedly serviced it and parked it at his car wash.
It is alleged that on 29 October 2021 Chikefu went to the car wash in Muzenda’s absence and stole the car using a duplicate key.
He then sold the same car to another teacher, Muzi Dube of Kwite Primary school.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Chifeku’s arrest on a theft charge.
Chifeku has since appeared before a magistrate charged with theft as defined Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
He was not asked to plead and was remanded out of custody to 30 November.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.bmetro.co.zw/latest-man-sells-his-car-only-to-steal-it-using-duplicate-keys/">B-Metro</a></h4>

Plumtree Man Sells Car, And Steals It From New Owner 2 Weeks Later

A 22-year old Gokwe man has been arrested for stealing a car from one of the mourners at a funeral wake.
The suspect, Tashinga Mutengarenga, sped off before being involved in an accident about a kilometre away.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, confirmed the incident saying the suspect was arrested following a speed chase with the police.
The incident occurred on Sunday around 4 pm in Mapfungautsi suburb, Gokwe. Said Insp Mahoko:
<blockquote>Circumstances are that the owner of the vehicle, Desire Pendekwa of Chief Njelele went to Mapfungautsi to attend a funeral.
He parked his vehicle, a Honda CRV and went to attend the funeral and forgot to lock his car, the suspect, who was also part of the mourners then sneaked and jumped into the car and drove off.</blockquote>
Insp Mahoko said police swiftly reacted to calls and gave chase, resulting in the suspect failing to negotiate a curve and crashing the vehicle. He said:
<blockquote>On realising that he was being pursued, Mutengarenga, who was speeding, then failed to negotiate a curve and the car plunged into a culvert. He was immediately arrested at the accident scene.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/man-steals-car-at-funeral/">The Herald</a></h4>

Gokwe Man Steals Car At Funeral

An unlicensed 17-year-old boy left the Victoria Falls community gobsmacked after reportedly breaking into a parked 22-tonne haulage truck during the night and drove away.
Petros Nyenyiwe, who is originally from Gokwe, stole the truck on Saturday night and drove it to Kazungula border, close to 100km away and was intercepted by police on his way back to Victoria Falls, leading to his arrest.
A motorist who was driving along the same road on Sunday informed the owner, one Tinashe Manyawu after noticing the truck and that was how he realised that the truck had been stolen.
He was later taken to court facing theft and driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent charges.
The Forden truck belongs to Honey Grade Investments and was parked at the company’s garage along Miles Road.
The court secured the services of a resident to interpret sign language as Nyenyiwe has a speech impairment.
Victoria Falls magistrate Linda Dzvene remanded the teenager in custody to 6 July pending bail application.
It is not yet known what Nyenyiwe had gone to do in Kazungula.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/boy-17-steals-haulage-truck-drives-more-than-100-km/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Gokwe Boy (17) Steals Haulage Truck For A 100km 'Joyride'

A self-styled prophet from Johanne Masowe Apostolic Sect has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for stealing a vehicle and valuables worth $31 123 and US$93 from a client.
Simbarashe Muvengwa (30) of no fixed aboard pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate, Sibonginkosi Mkandla.
He was, however, convicted due to overwhelming evidence. Two years were suspended on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
In passing her sentence, Mkandla said she had shown leniency towards Muvengwa seeing that he had not benefited from the act of theft as the vehicle was recovered.
She said that however did not change the fact that Muvengwa had committed a serious offence that required a deterrent sentence.
Muvengwa denied committing the offence saying that the complainant had agreed to lend him the vehicle for a week.
He said he was surprised when he was arrested by the police for stealing the vehicle before the one week, which they had agreed on had elapsed.
But prosecutor Johannes Tlou said Muvengwa robbed George Mangwana (37) who is a miner based in Esigodini and also his church mate.
Tlou said on 5 January last year, Muvengwa called Mangwana informing him that he had received a prophetic revelation for him and his colleague Foster Ndudzo.
When Mangagwa and Ndudzo met with Muvengwa at their shrine near Habane Business Centre in Esigodini on the following morning, the latter told them that he had to conduct a ritual at a pool in order to cleanse them.
He said Muvengwa instructed the two men to follow a nearby stream until they reached a pool and enter it.
Mangwana left his car keys with Muvengwa according to his warning against carrying metal objects. Upon their return the two men found Muvengwa gone with the vehicle, a Toyota Hiace.
In the vehicle Mangwana had left clothing, cell phones and other valuables worth $31 123 and US$93.
The matter was reported to the police who conducted investigations leading to the arrest of the accused person.
The total value of stolen property including the vehicle is $1 057 698 and property worth $1 026 375 was recovered.
He said Muvengwa advised Mangwana that in order for him to be cleansed in a pool and he had to leave his car keys behind as he was not supposed to carry any metal object into the pool.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/just-in-prophet-sentenced-to-seven-years-for-car-theft/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

Prophet Jailed Seven Years For Car Theft

A senior police detective based in <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Gweru" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gweru</a> was on Friday last week arrested on allegations of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer after he released a vehicle suspected to have been stolen in South Africa without following due process.
Detective Inspector Leonard Gwandu, who is the Gweru officer-in-charge Criminal Investigation Department (CID), appeared before Gweru magistrate Tavengwa Sangster on Saturday and was remanded on $1 000 bail to January 17.
Det Insp Gwandu allegedly released a Toyota Hilux Raider to businessman Shepherd Tundiya, who had been arrested in October after he was caught driving the vehicle suspected to have been stolen from South Africa. The vehicle had no number plates.
Even though Tundiya was later acquitted on charges of theft of a motor vehicle on December 13 2019, no order was made as to the disposal of the vehicle.
However, the following day, (December 14), Gwandu released the vehicle which South African Police Service (SAPS) officers were coming to identify.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/stolen-car-lands-cid-boss-in-trouble/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

CID Boss Arrested Over Stolen Toyota Hilux Raider

South African police said that 10 vehicles stolen from that country have been recovered near the Zimbabwean border in the past three months.
The South African police have launched an operation in conjunction with the intelligence code-named “Valamadi”.
The operation led to the recovery of an earth-mover or caterpillar on Tuesday along the Zimbabwe border.
Police spokesperson Col Moatshe Ngoepe revealed that during the operation, a 40-year-old man was arrested in connection with the theft of the caterpillar. Said Col Ngoepe:
<blockquote>We are doing everything we can to deal with incidents of smuggling stolen cars from this country into Zimbabwe, perhaps also into other countries further north.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the caterpillar was reported stolen in the Apel policing area outside Lebowakgomo.</blockquote>
Ngoepe further revealed that the syndicates will at times, push the cars across the Limpopo or use donkey carts to tow the vehicles into Zimbabwe.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-06-12-stolen-vehicles-recovered-near-zimbabwe-border/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sowetan Live</a></h4>

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