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Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A local car dealer has appeared in court on allegations of defrauding a client of R220 000 after failing to deliver a vehicle he had promised to help import into the country.
The accused, 33-year-old Kelvin Kudzaishe Makuyana, is facing fraud charges. He was represented by his lawyer, Mr Rungano Mahuni.
Although the State opposed bail, Makuyana was granted bail of US$250 after a successful application by his lawyer.
He will return to court on February 11. The complainant in the case, Macmillian Chiweshe, alleges that Makuyana failed to fulfill his promise to deliver a vehicle, causing him significant financial loss.
Prosecutor Mr Rufaro Chonzi told the court that in May 2024, Chiweshe approached Makuyana with the intention of purchasing a Volkswagen 7 model valued at R220 000 as a gift for his wife.
Makuyana assured Chiweshe that he had the capacity to buy and import the vehicle on his behalf.
On May 8, Chiweshe agreed to the transaction. He was provided with an invoice for the vehicle and a South African First National Bank account number by Makuyana, where the payment was to be made.
That same day, Chiweshe transferred the required funds and sent proof of payment to Makuyana.
Makuyana instructed Chiweshe to wait a few weeks for the vehicle’s arrival at Beitbridge Border Post, where customs duties would be settled.
However, the court heard that after receiving the payment, Makuyana became evasive. He allegedly avoided meeting with Chiweshe and repeatedly gave false promises and excuses.
Eventually, he stopped responding to Chiweshe’s calls altogether. As a result, Chiweshe suffered a financial loss of R220 000, equivalent to US$12 000.
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