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A CUSTOMS Excellency (Pvt) Ltd company director has been dragged to court facing three counts of fraud involving US$18 000.
Munyaradzi Hilary Murombedzi, 41, was granted $100 000 bail when he appeared before magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure. He will be back in court on May 9. The State said sometime in April 2021, the complainant, Tendra Motors, bought three Toyota Coaster 2003 model buses from South Africa.
After purchasing the buses, the company realised that the Government had gazetted a Statutory Instrument, which stated that all vehicles older than 10 years from date of manufacture, were no longer allowed in the country.
Tendra Motors then phoned Murombedzi to assist with pre-clearance of customs duty.
It is alleged that Murombedzi told Tendra Motors that each bus needed $575 000 and they should pay $1 725 000 for all three buses.
The court heard that the $1 725 000 was deposited into a CBZ account, which Murombedzi had supplied.
It is alleged that Murombedzi was further given US$1 050 in cash.
The court heard that he only paid customs duty for one bus and was delivered to the complainant.
The complainant checked with ZIMRA Beitbridge Border Post and realised that the payment was made for only one bus. Tendra Motors then reported the matter to the police.
In another matter Murombedzi is being accused of misrepresenting facts to Tendra Motors that he could facilitate change of ownership of their Toyota Quantum from the previous owner.
Murombedzi was given US$500, but he converted the money to his personal use. Tendra Motors tried to reach Murombedzi, but he became evasive.
In another matter, Murombedzi is also being accused of duping a senior female partner at Mangwiro Tandi Law firm of about US$6 500 after misrepresenting that he could facilitate payment of customs duty on her behalf. The State said in August last year, the woman purchased a BMW in Australia, and then shipped the vehicle to Zimbabwe, via the Kariba Border Post. The complainant engaged Murombedzi to assist her.
The court heard that on January 25 this year, Murombedzi conducted an assessment of the vehicle and sent confirmation indicating that the woman was supposed to pay US$7 039.
After the agreement, she gave Murombedzi the money to pay for customs duty. Murombedzi promised to give the woman a receipt from ZIMRA by February 15 to enable her to collect the vehicle, but he disappeared.
Zebedia Bofu appeared for the State.
Online Reporter