Car import deals land three in court

into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Yesterday, Roy Ruzive (38), the director of Filton Motors, appeared before a Harare magistrate on four counts of fra-ud involving US$26 000. He was not asked to plead and was remanded out of custody to February 28 on US$200 bail.
Before that, Sydney Meki (34) of Harare was in court to answer to allegations of swindling 21 people and a primary school in deals involving 35 cars worth US$111 000.
Meki, the director of Rampshed Motors is denying the charges and saying it is more of a civil matter. He was also granted US$200 bail and his trial resumes on February 21.
In another case, car dealer Ashraf Joosab (45) – who owns Prestige Motors in Strathaven – last Monday appea-red in court charged with six counts of fraud after allegedly swindling car buyers of more than US$280 000.
Yesterday, the court heard that Ruzive advertised in the local media that he imported vehicles from Japan and these would be delivered in about four weeks after placement of an order.
Prosecutor Ms Memory Chidavaenzi alleges that Ruzive directed clients to his Silundika House offices where he showed them various car models on the Internet.
On May 28 last year, Anchar Chimghandah (46) allegedly paid US$2 900 as down payment for a Mercedes Benz C200 which Ruzive had shown her on the Internet.
It is the State’s case that after four weeks, Ruzive advised Chimghandah to deposit a further US$6 100 and R4 000 into his CBZ Bank account for Zimra charges and shipping costs.
The State alleges that Ruzive never delivered the vehicle.
In August last year, Leo Mbonjani (71) allegedly lost US$5 800 to Ruzive after paying for a Toyota Toyace that was never delivered.
Cleopas Tsvakayi Mashiri (46) was allegedly duped of US$5 000 for a car he is yet to get, while another complainant, Tafadzwa Murahwa reportedly lost US$6 000.
Meki is accused of duping 21 people and a primary school.
He was arrested late last year and is on trial in the Harare regional court with Mr Never Katiyo presiding.
In his defence outline, Meki denied the charges saying the matter was purely civil and that the complainants were abusing the criminal justice system.
He says he should not be charged in his personal capacity since the agreements in question were entered into between Rampshed Motors (a legal person) and the complainants.
Meki says the company indeed imported the vehicles, but the complainants failed to pay port charges and the necessary storage costs.