Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
A 54-year-old man from Borrowdale has found himself in a distressing situation, losing over one million South African Rand in a failed car transaction.
Martin Hakunavanhu was deceived into paying R1,100,000 for a Defender 110 diesel, promised to him by John Matorofa from Mandara.
The ordeal began when Hakunavanhu signed a sale agreement in Harare and paid the full amount upfront.
He then travelled to South Africa, where he parked the vehicle at his daughter’s house, only to discover later that it never made its way to Zimbabwe.
When he attempted to process the vehicle’s ownership transfer in August 2025, he was shocked to find out that the car had been attached by ABSA Bank.
Despite his efforts to recover his money, Hakunavanhu faced repeated setbacks.
Frustrated and desperate, he eventually decided to lodge a complaint with the police against Matorofa.
Matorofa, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, expressed genuine remorse for his actions. “Things are not okay with me, which is why it came to this point,” he admitted.
He had hoped to gather the funds necessary to repay Hakunavanhu but found himself unable to do so. “I couldn’t continue lying to Hakunavanhu, making promises I knew I couldn’t keep,” he confessed.
In an attempt to remedy the situation, Matorofa is now trying to sell some of his property to raise the money, although he candidly stated, “Honestly speaking, I have nothing right now.”
The Police Criminal Investigations Department spokesperson was unavailable for comment. However, sources from H-Metro confirmed that the case has been reported at Borrowdale Police Station under RRB 6471193.
Mathew Masinge