Wenslus Murape
Zvikomborero Parafini
TOP car dealership, Burnett Motors Dealership (Pvt) Ltd, trading as Creative Auto, is in the eye of a storm as it has been accused of duping its clients.
The dealership was represented in court by Liam Burnett, one of its directors.
The first complainant is the Harare Institute of Technology, represented by Hebert Nhongo, who is employed as the Registrar and Board Secretary.
The court heard that on November 25, 2022, HIT flighted an invitation for a tender for the purchase of operational vehicles – two 4×4 Toyota Hilux brand new trucks and one 4×2 Toyota Hilux Revo brand new, fully licenced and legally registered motor vehicle.
Burnett Motors Dealership was awarded the tender to supply and deliver the vehicles and was paid US$135 000 on January 27 last year.
An additional US$61 000 was paid on May 29 for the purchase of the two vehicles and payment of Customs & Excise duty and taxes.
Burnett Motors went on to purchase the three cars from some Chinese nationals, who had imported them under the Immigrant Rebate, contrary to the tender and contract agreement, which requested them to import the motor vehicles.
ZIMRA then proceeded to seize the cars from HIT after its officials found out that Burnett had not paid the Customs & Excise duty and related taxes.
The second complainant is ZESA, represented by Shepherd Mabunjwa, its Loss Control Manager.
Allegations are that on March 24 last year, ZESA Holdings flighted a tender for the purchase of a 4×4 Toyota Hilux brand new, fully licenced and legally registered motor vehicles.
Burnett Dealership was awarded the tender to supply and deliver the car and was paid US$58 000 on October 13.
Burnett then went on to purchase the car locally from some Chinese nationals who had imported the vehicle under the Immigrant Rebate, contrary to the tender and contract agreement, which requested them to import the vehicle.
ZIMRA seized the car.
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Online Reporter