Car dealer Mafu denied bail

Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo

Court Correspondent

CAR dealer Hazel Mafu, who is facing 79 counts of fraud involving more than US$624 000 and ZiG1,2 million, has been denied bail by the Harare Magistrates Court.

Harare regional magistrate Mrs Jesse Kufa ruled that Mafu (35), the director of Hezy Motors Logistics, was not a suitable candidate for bail, citing compelling reasons to believe she could abscond and interfere with investigations.

In delivering her ruling, Mrs Kufa said Mafu’s circumstances differed significantly from those of her co-accused, who had previously been granted bail.

“The applicant cannot be treated in the same manner as her accomplices. She was on the run, unlike her accomplices, and has demonstrated that she can abscond if granted bail. Her accomplices were employees, while she is the director of the company. The court is of the view that her role cannot be equated to that of her accomplices. There are compelling reasons why the accused should be denied bail,” she said.

Mrs Kufa said Mafu’s decision to surrender herself to the police did not allay the State’s concerns.

“The fact that she surrendered herself to the police does not cure the State’s fears. She allegedly threatened some complainants, urging them to withdraw the charges. She also continued conducting business despite knowing that her company was under investigation and had not fulfilled obligations to earlier complainants,” ruled the magistrate.

Mafu was remanded in custody to August 20 pending the finalisation of investigations.

The State alleges that Mafu orchestrated a bogus vehicle importation scheme in which scores of clients paid varying amounts for the purchase and importation of motor vehicles.

It is alleged that after receiving the money, she failed to deliver the vehicles as agreed.

Prosecutor Mr Lawrence Gangarahwe alleges that Mafu falsely represented that she was able and willing to supply the vehicles when, in fact, she had neither the intention nor the capacity to fulfil the orders, thereby inducing clients to part with their money.