Car dealer nabbed for theft

Zvikomborero Parafini

A dealer employed by Braeside Motor World was on Wednesday charged with theft of trust property after he allegedly duped a client of US$9500.

Brian Masimba Tazvinzwa 47, was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi.

Allegations are that in March, the complainant wanted to import a Honda Vezel on BEFORWARD, a vehicle importation company to Zimbabwe.

He contacted Tazvinzwa, who is an agent at Braeside Motor World, and entered into an agreement whereby he was to import a Honda Vezel from Japan on his behalf.

Tazvinzwa allegedly advised the complainant, who is unnamed in the state papers, to pay US$ 8,050 for the importation and payment of duty.

On March 28, the complainant made a cash deposit of US$ 3,000 to Tazvinzwa at Sorting House, Harare as the purchase price and was issued with a Braeside Motor World cash receipt number 201.

Tazvinzwa gave the complainant a vehicle delivery agreement as confirmation that he had made a deposit of US$ 3,000 and was left with a balance of US$ 5,050.

It is the State’s case that on March 29, Tazvinzwa sent the owner of the car confirmation that he had deposited the car in Japan and a tracking number.

On April 11, the owner made another payment of US$1000 and was issued with a receipt.

Later on that month, Tazvinzwa collected the complainant’s Toyota Aqua and the registration book so that he could sell it and use the proceeds to cover the balance of US$4 050 on the importation of the Honda Vezel and payment of import duty at the border.

Upon inquiry, the complainant discovered that the purchase had been cancelled since Tazvinzwa hadn’t paid the payment in full and it had been sold to someone else.