Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A HARARE-based general dealer has appeared in court on allegations of defrauding a client of US$8 112 in a botched vehicle import deal.
Energy Kufandirori (43) appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo, facing fraud charges.
He was released on US$100 bail.
Prosecutor Mr Takudzwa Jambawu told the court that on October 22, 2025, at around midday, the complainant, Ms Ellah Fenyen’enye, met Kufandirori along Mbuya Nehanda Street in Harare.
It is alleged that during the meeting, Ms Fenyen’enye handed over US$8 112 in cash to Kufandirori for the importation of a used Nissan Caravan NV350 from Japan.
Upon receiving the money, Kufandirori reportedly drafted and signed an affidavit acknowledging receipt of the cash and undertook to facilitate the importation of the vehicle.
He allegedly advised that the vehicle would arrive in Tanzania during the first week of January 2026.
However, the court heard that when the expected delivery time elapsed, the complainant followed up with Kufandirori, who allegedly became evasive.
Kufandirori is said to have later communicated via WhatsApp, citing delays and assuring the complainant that he was still tracking the vehicle’s progress. Despite these assurances, the vehicle was never delivered. The total value prejudiced is US$8 112, and nothing has been recovered.
