Taxi driver uses employer’s car as collateral

Paidamoyo Bore

A TAXI driver yesterday pleaded guilty to using his employer’s vehicle as collateral after taking a loan from a loan shark.

Andrew Meki pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared before Harare magistrate Jacqueline Gara.

Meki was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, six of which were suspended on condition of good behaviour for the next five years.

The remaining 10 months were commuted to 350 hours of community service at Machipisa Police Station.

The court heard that in February last year, Meki was hired by Ramington Sikoti to drive his Honda Fit as a taxi.

Meki used the vehicle, from February to November, and then suddenly stopped cashing money to Sikoti and disappeared.

Sikoti went to look for Meki at his home but couldn’t find him. His phone number was also not going through.

Sikoti then started searching for his vehicle and found it parked at Shirichena.

He inquired from the owner of the place who told him that it was left as collateral by Meki for a loan he had taken.

Meki admitted in court that he took a loan of US$1 380 and used Sikoti’s vehicle as collateral.

Kate Kamanda appeared for the State.