Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A HARARE-based vehicle importer and car dealer has appeared in court facing fraud charges after allegedly duping five people of a combined US$47 776 in separate vehicle import and sale transactions.
Christopher Chiroroma, who is reportedly facing other similar fraud allegations, appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo.
He was remanded in custody to July 22 pending the determination of his bail application.
The complainants are Bothwell Muskwe, Farai Lavender Mukudoka, Julie Mhaka, Judith Bonongwe and Monica Taruvinga.
Prosecutor Ms Chipo Muvhamba alleged that in February 2026, Chiroroma convinced Muskwe to return a Hino Ranger truck, registration number AGH 7470, which he had purchased from him for US$24 600.
The court heard that Chiroroma allegedly misrepresented to Muskwe that the truck had secured a lucrative contract with Delta Beverages and urgently needed to be returned so it could be deployed under that arrangement.
Muskwe surrendered the truck to Chiroroma, who allegedly sold it before disappearing. In a series of separate transactions, the State alleges that between May 2025 and May 2026, Chiroroma received money from the remaining four complainants after promising to source and import motor vehicles for them.
Farai Lavender Mukudoka allegedly paid US$4 200, Julie Mhaka US$6 976, Judith Bonongwe US$7 000 and Monica Taruvinga US$5 000.
The State alleges that after receiving the funds, Chiroroma failed to import or deliver the promised vehicles and became unreachable.
The complainants later learnt that Chiroroma had been arrested in connection with other similar fraud cases and subsequently reported their own matters to the police, leading to the current charges.
The State alleges that the five complainants suffered a combined prejudice of US$47 776, and nothing has been recovered.
