CAR DEAL GOES SOUR

Zvikomborero Parafini

A HARARE businessman, who imports cars on behalf of his clients, appeared in court over the weekend after being involved in a botched deal.

Peter Matanganyidze, 43, was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi.

Allegations are that in April, an unnamed complainant engaged Matanganyidze for his services as a car dealer, to import a Toyota Fortuner, from South Africa.

Matanganyidze agreed to purchase and import the car and charged the complainant US$16 000 for his services.

The complainant paid US$13 000 as part payment.

He was told that his car would be in Zimbabwe in three weeks’ time, and he would pay the balance once the car was delivered to him.

On the date the car was supposed to be in Zimbabwe, Matanganyidze became evasive and gave numerous excuses.

He failed to show proof of purchase, and efforts to engage him on the way forward were fruitless.

Pardon Dziva appeared for the State.