Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
HARARE magistrate Lisa Mutendereki has acquitted an insurance broker, Reality Njabulo Chuma, on charges of defrauding Old Mutual of US$90 000 through a fake insurance claim at the close of the State’s case.
However, his accomplices Henrics Providence Dhonga (30), Munyaradzi Ramewa and Llyod Makuzva (45) were put to their defence.
Dhonga, Ramewa and Makuzva are facing two counts of fraud and illegal possession of articles for criminal use
It is alleged that sometime in May 2022, Dhonga was approached by Ramewa, who wanted compensation for his vehicle, which was involved in an accident a long time ago, and was parked at a house in Mutare.
They then hatched a plan to defraud Old Mutual Insurance Company of the sum assured totalling US$90 000.
On August 14, 2022, Dhonga and Makuzva proceeded to Mutare, where they met Ramewa and staged an accident involving the VW Touareg motor vehicle as a sole party.
They reported the staged accident to the police in Mutare, and Road Angels towed the vehicle.
On September 20, 2022, the accused persons made a fraudulent claim through Chuma, who is an employee at Bright Insurance Brokers Private Limited, to the effect that the vehicle was severely damaged on the front, suspension, engine and gearbox.
Acting upon that misrepresentation, Old Mutual Insurance Company processed a claim for the sum of US$90 000.
The case came to light when Old Mutual discovered that the photographs that were sent by the accused persons were different from the ones submitted by Road Angeles, which towed the vehicle from the scene.
It was also discovered that Dhonga, also a director at Panel Tech Motors, was involved in more cases of insurance fraud.
On December 10, 2022, police searched his Mazda CX5 vehicle, registration number AFF 1002 and recovered a black satchel on the back seat with 11 homemade police stamps for different police stations in Chitungwiza, Chegutu, Harare, Marondera and Norton.
