Andrew
Sunday Mail Reporter
Four fraudsters were sentenced to four months in jail by Harare magistrate Rangarirai Gakanje for issuing fake Zinara vehicle licensing discs.
Abednigo Kachanzi (35), Francis Pedzisai (42), Gedion Tsodzo (46) and Noel Jogo (37) were given the option to pay a $5 000 fine.
It is understood that the quartet duped Mr Blessmore Chidhakwa, who wanted to licence his deregistered vehicle of US$150 recently.
According to the state outline, sometime in January, Kachanzi, masquerading as a Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) agent responsible for motor vehicle registration and insurance, introduced himself to Mr Chidhakwa.
On February 18, Mr Chidhakwa sought the assistance of Kachanzi to re-register his Honda Fit vehicle upon which he was asked to pay US$150.
Mr Chidhakwa later paid the requested fee and on March 18, Kachanzi handed over a registration book and copies of the vehicle licence somewhere in central Harare.
Mr Chidhakwa queried the authenticity of the documents before verifying the validity of the documents at Zinara offices where it was confirmed that they were fake.
The ZRP Commercial Crimes Division working closely with Zinara’s risk and loss control department arrested Kachanzi who implicated his three other accomplices.
Authorities recovered several documents including vehicle registration book AFE-3738 belonging to Toma Victoria of Southlands Park, Waterfalls, registration book AAR-3111 owned by Nationals Parks of Kaguvi Building, vehicle registration book AEI-7842 belonging to Clarke Anne of Mount Pleasant.
Zinara spokesperson Mr Tendai Mugabe welcomed the conviction of the four fraudsters.
“This is a welcome development which sends a clear message to everyone that crime does not pay. Our risk and loss control department is working closely with the police to fight crimes of this nature and other related vehicle licensing criminal activities,” said Mr Mugabe.
Online Reporter