Car thief in court

Magistrate Ashton Dube challenged Machika’s justification, saying his actions were a direct violation of the child’s rights and an obstruction of due legal process.

Prosper Dembedza

Herald Correspondent

A suspected car thief has appeared in court on allegations of stealing two vehicles.

Sean Manakira (45) was facing theft of trust property when he appeared before a Harare magistrate.

He was released on US$300 bail.

Allegations are that sometime in October 2023, Manakira was given US$14 000 by Faison Samambwa to buy him a Toyota Lexus from South Africa.

In March 2024, the accused went to Samambwa and told him that he had imported the motor vehicle and that it was being cleared by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra).

When Samambwa made a follow-up on the motor vehicle, Manakira became evasive him and refused to surrender the vehicle or reimburse the complainant’s money.

Samambwa then made a police report.

The value stolen is US$14 000 and nothing was recovered.

On count two, the court heard that sometime in July 2024, Manakira was given a Toyota Fortuner (registration number AFU6438) by Jonathan Makwade so that he could have it regularised by Zimra for payment of duty and then return it to the complainant.

After two weeks, the complainant made a follow-up on his motor vehicle and Manakira failed to return it and gave unsatisfactory answers.

The complainant then made a police report, leading to Manakira’s arrest.