happiness ChikwanhaZvikomborero Parafini
A HARARE duo allegedly stole a car they had been entrusted to sell on behalf of a client.
They appeared in court yesterday charged with fraud and theft of trust property.
Honoured Mutero Vhurumu and Patson Munyaradzi Sibanda appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi.
The complainant in the matter is Harare businessman, Tapiwa Masedza.
Allegations are that in February 2021, Masedza wanted to sell his Mercedes Benz GLS 400 4matic and advised Vhurumu.
Vhurumu and Sibanda then approached Masedza and lied that they had found a buyer.
Masedza gave Vhurumu the vehicle and it’s import documents and registration book.
Vhurumu allegedly handed the vehicle to Sibanda, who fraudulently changed ownership into his name, without an agreement of sale from Masedza.
Sibanda also changed the registration plates from AFG-4394 to AFR-0248 to conceal the offence.
The two then became evasive.
Masedza made several efforts to get hold of the duo.
Vhurumu then lied that he had taken the vehicle to a potential buyer in South Africa.
After being pressurised by Masedza, they decided to give him a Toyota Hilux.
They lied to him that it was part payment for his vehicle, which they said was a swap and top-up deal.
Masedza found that no duty had been paid for the Hilux and that it had been fraudulently registered in the country.
He also found out that the two had fraudulently changed ownership of his Benz and reported the matter to the police.
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge