Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
HARARE High Court Judge Justice Custom Kachambwa has granted US$500 bail to suspected vehicle importer Hazel Mafu, who is accused of defrauding scores of clients of more than US$624 000 and ZiG1 275 878.35 in an alleged bogus vehicle importation scheme.
Mafu (35), the director of Hezy Motors Logistics, had earlier been denied bail by the Harare Magistrates Court.
As part of her bail conditions, Mafu was ordered to reside at her given address in Waterfalls, surrender her passport to the Clerk of Court and report to the police every Friday.
The State alleges that from 2022 until recently, Mafu has been advertising vehicle importation services through various platforms, including social media, electronic media and print media.
It is alleged that Mafu would advertise that she has the capacity to source and import vehicles within agreed time frames at competitive prices.
Believing the representations to be genuine, numerous complainants allegedly paid varying amounts to Mafu for the purchase and importation of vehicles.
The State alleges that after receiving the money, Mafu failed to deliver the vehicles as agreed.
Prosecutors further allege that Mafu falsely represented that she was able and willing to supply the vehicles when, in fact, she had neither the intention nor the capacity to fulfil the orders, thereby inducing clients to part with their money.
According to the prosecution, the total prejudice amounts to US$624 958.96 and ZiG1 275 878.35.
Nothing has been recovered.
