In court for faking vehicle registration documents

Michael Mashiri

A Harare man is in court for fraud after tendering fake customs clearance certificates for a car to the Central Vehicle Registry.

Munyaradzi Hatidane, 32, of Old Highfield appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with fraud or, alternatively, violating Section 136 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23.

The complainant in this case is the state represented by Shelton Kakwenya who works at the Central Vehicle Registry.

The court heard that on January 4, 2023, Hatidane approached the Central Vehicle Registry Offices to acquire a duplicate registration book for a Toyota Conquest.

He tendered a CVR form 4 completed with the vehicle particulars including engine and chassis numbers in the name of Brighton Chikara of Block 5 Mbare Flat B, Harare.

Hatidane then attached a fake customs clearance certificate with the same car particulars and owner details to facilitate its registration.

He then proffered the documents to CVR officials knowing that they were fake. In the CVR data base system, the registration number of the car reflected another vehicle, a Toyota Allion silver in colour, registered in the name of Tadzei Rubaya of Woodlands Park, Gweru.

Upon noticing the anomaly, detectives from CID VTS Harare were informed by the CVR officials who had Hatidane in their office.

They quickly reacted, leading to the arrest of Hatidane and the recovery of the counterfeit documents and the Custom Clearance Certificate.

The state is arguing Hatidane caused prejudice to the good administration of business at Central Vehicle Registry.

He appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi who denied remanded him in custody and ordered him to come to court on January 9 for bail application.