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Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
Harare car dealer Matthew Musengezi, who returned to court yesterday on fresh charges of defrauding the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) of US$40 000 through fraudulent importation of two vehicles, was granted US$500 bail.
Harare regional magistrate, Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa ordered Musengezi to report twice every week at Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) offices and to surrender his passport as part of his bail conditions.
Musengezi, who was represented by his lawyer Mr Tawana Nyabeza returns to court on September 19 for a possible trial date.
The complainant is Zimra, represented by Epson Moyo, the Supervisor under the Motor Traffic Division.
The State alleged that Musengezi fraudulently imported a 2020 Ford Ranger through Beitbridge Border Post on September 1, 2023.
Musengezi went on to generate fraudulent invoices purporting that he had procured Ford Ranger engine parts and accessories for a non-existent company in Guruve.
The court heard that on 7 September 2023, he proceeded to present the motor vehicle with falsified documents at the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID), Eastlea, where it was fraudulently certified as a rebuilt model.
After this process, Musengezi approached ZIMRA Harare Port, presented the fraudulent documents, and obtained a Customs Clearance Certificate which he subsequently used to register the motor vehicle.
On December 5, 2023, ZACC received information about this and investigations revealed that a 2020 Toyota Fortuner SUV registration number AGE 5418 had also been fraudulently imported and registered.
The vehicle does not have any import history but is purported to have been purchased at a ZIMRA public auction rummage sale.
Further investigations led to the recovery of the 2020 Toyota Fortuner SUV from Prince Takunda Murove who indicated that the motor vehicle had been purchased from one Tinashe Mureyane of La Parada Car Sale in Harare.
Investigations also led to the recovery of the Ford Ranger at La Parada. It was established that both vehicles belonged to Musengezi.
Due to the accused’s actions, ZIMRA was prejudiced of US$40 000.
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