Firm sues ex-staffer

Mashonaland Tobacco Company is suing a former employee for US$6 500 for allegedly supplying the company with 75 fake vehicle licence discs.
According to the claim, Mr Jefrey Fakero was contracted in September 2009 to help the company register their 75 vehicles with the City of Harare.
The claim states: “Defendant was handed over 75 vehicle registration books together with US$6 495 for registration of the vehicles.”
Mr Fakero, it is alleged, subsequently submitted to MTC vehicle licence discs that appeared genuine and was paid with 50 litres of fuel.
However, MTC — represented by Gill, Godlonton and Gerrans — claims the vehicles were not registered.
“Accordingly and in breach of agreement defendant failed to register the vehicles with the City of Harare.
“As a result of failure to register the vehicles with the City of Harare plaintiff has had to register the said vehicles, incurring costs,” MTC submitted.
MTC claims Mr Fakero, despite several demands, has failed to refund the money.
MTC wants is also demanding the 50 litres of fuel back.
However, Mr Faker, who once helped MTC to register its vehicles, says he entered a “verbal agreement” with the firm but was not aware that the discs were fake.
“Defendant will state that he was not aware that the discs were not genuine. Since there was nothing from the City of Harare alerting the public of the existence of fake licence discs,” Mr Fakero submitted. His lawyers Mupawaenda-Sande Legal Practitioners add: “There is no way we could have known that the discs have were not genuine since they were purchased from the city council.”
The matter has been set for hearing on February 25. — CR.