Andrew
Online Reporter
TWO men have appeared in court facing allegations of defrauding Econet’s vehicle insurance subsidiary of over US$55 000.
The pair allegedly insured an accident-damaged vehicle then submitted a claim for loss of the vehicle through an accident.
Rangarirai Kamuti (43) and Farai Phillip Chifamba (41) appeared before Harare magistrate, Mrs Yeukai Dzuda on Saturday.
Prosecutor, Mr Anesu Chirenje said the accused, working in collusion, with Albert Kaseke (who is now deceased) and others still at large, hatched a plan to defraud Econet through insurance fraud.
“The now deceased Albert Kaseke, whose company, Finaye Panel Beaters, repairs vehicles referred from different insurance companies connived with his accomplices and purchased a wreckage of an accident-damaged Toyota Fortuner.
“In pursuance of their plan, on May 5, 2022, the accused persons insured the wreckage as an accident-free vehicle on Econet Insurance Comprehensive Cover.”
The policy valued at US$55 000 covered the vehicle from May 6, 2022 to May 5, 2023.
“On June 9, 2022, the accused persons approached Econet and submitted a claim for the loss of the vehicle due to an accident, which they claimed to have occurred at the 264km-peg along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway.
“The vehicle was alleged to have been driven by the accused, Phillip Chifamba, and the case was reported under Hwange Traffic TAB 162/22.”
To support their claim, according to prosecution, the accused submitted Chifamba’s driver’s licence and a quotation from Finaye Panel Beaters.
“On June 17, 2022, Econet Insurance made enquiries and background checks, and discovered that the insured vehicle had damages indicating that it had overturned, but the said driver never sought any medical attention.
“The insurance company discovered that there were no records to show that the vehicle ever travelled to Hwange to the alleged place of accident.”
A report was made to the police and investigations led to the arrest of the two.
Online Reporter