MAI DHUTERERE LIED, DUPED MAN OF US$16K

Zvikomborero Parafini

GOSPEL musician Mai Dhuterere allegedly hoodwinked a client into believing she had a waiver, as a musician, to import a Toyota Hilux GD6 truck duty free into Zimbabwe.

Mai Dhuterere, whose real name is Dorcas Vambe, 36, was not asked to plead when she appeared before magistrate Isheanesu Matova in Harare yesterday.

She was released on US$100 bail.

The complainant is Chrispen Magaya, who is a politician.

The court heard that in September, Vambe got information that Magaya was looking for a Toyota Hilux GD6 to buy and he had a budget of US$16 000.

She allegedly connived with her brother Kudakwashe Vambe to steal the money from Magaya.

The court heard that the siblings approached Magaya and told him they had a car sale in Botswana, which had the type of vehicles he was looking for.

They told him that his money could buy two Toyota Hilux D6 vehicles instead of one.

They lied to Magaya that they had capacity to import the two vehicles free of duty since they had a waiver which Vambe was granted.

Magaya paid US$16 000, which he handed over to Vambe, and she acknowledged the receipt money in the form of an affidavit.

She also provided a commitment that she was going to deliver two Toyota Hilux GD6 vehicles in two weeks.

The duo converted the money to their own use, instead of fulfilling what they promised Magaya.

Magaya did not receive the vehicles as promised.

He pressured the duo who then originated a fake invoice of a Ford Ranger, which had an expired temporary import permit.

Mai Dhuterere brought the vehicle into Zimbabwe through a temporary import permit and gave it to Magaya in replacement of one of the vehicles and further promised him another Mercedes Benz C200.

Magaya started to use the Ford Ranger, waiting to receive the Mercedes Benz C200.

The Ford Ranger was then impounded by the police for being used in Zimbabwe with an expired temporary import permit.

Magaya realised that he had been duped and filed a police report.

Nothing was recovered.

Takudzwa Jambawo prosecuted.