Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
TWO men, who were masquerading as agents at the Central Vehicle Registry, appeared in court over the weekend charged with fraud and forgery.
Noah Chimulambe and Ernest Musandiriri appeared before a Harare magistrate on Saturday.
The complainant is Samuel Banda, who is employed as shopkeeper at Kaifeng Private Limited.
Allegations are that the duo participated in the forgery and fraudulent production and distribution of a fake vehicle registration book for a Mazda Demio registration number ABE2028.
It is alleged that in November last year, Patrick Chiutsi purchased a Mazda Demio registration number ABE2028 from Victor Masawi.
Chiutsi checked for outstanding Zinara fees at Epworth Post office for the motor vehicle and found that the vehicle was in arrears of US$475 but did not check for the registered owner.
Chiutsi was not given the registration book by the previous owner, Victor Masawi.
At the time of purchase, the vehicle did not have a 3rd number plate and the rear number plate.
In December 2024, Chiutsi entered into an agreement with Banda to swap vehicles, with him paying a total of US$600, handing over his Mazda MPV registration ABL3193, which they valued at US$700 and paid outstanding Zinara fees of US$475 for the Mazda Demio.
Chiutsi did not hand over the registration book to Banda as he was not given the book by the previous owner Victor Masawi.
Chiutsi made efforts to get the registration book from the registered owner through Victor Masawi but their efforts were not fruitful as the registered owner was said to have passed on and the book was misplaced.
In January this year, Banda pressured Chiutsi for the vehicle registration book because the vehicle was once impounded by ZRP Mbare for the missing number plates.
Banda was unable to apply for replacement of missing number plates as he did not have the registration book.
Under pressure, Patrick Chiutsi contacted Chimulambe, who had connections at the Central Vehicle Registry to help obtain the registration book.
Chiutsi paid US$60 for this service.
Chimulambe allegedly contacted his accomplice, who assisted him to produce and issue the fake registration book.
Banda went to CVR to check if the book was in the system and was told by Ishmael Manjera, a CVR officer, that it was a fake registration book.
He confronted Chiutsi and Chimulambe, who confirmed that the registration book was indeed fraudulent and a report was lodged with the police.
