Chitungwiza man in court for insurance fraud

Michael Mashiri

A Chitungwiza man, who was part of the team that defrauded Old Mutual Insurance Company US$13 885, has appeared in court.

Reality Njabulo Chuma, 30, of Chitungwiza was before magistrate Yeukai Dzuda at the Harare Magistrates' Court charged with fraud.

Old Mutual Insurance Company was the complainant in the matter, represented by Kudakwashe Rufudza, 51.

The State, through Zebediah Bofu, alleges that in 2022, Henrics Providence Dhonga, who is already on remand was at Panel Tech Motors located at number 492 Goodwin Road, Willowvale Industrial Site, Harare when he was approached by Tinevimbo Clarence Marufu who told him that his Volkswagen 6 had been involved in an accident at the corner of Prince Edward Road and Josiah Tongogara Avenue and he wanted him to repair it.

Dhonga later went to Marufu's house and towed the already accident-damaged car.

They wanted to defraud Old Mutual Insurance Company and went on to insure the already accident damaged car through Chuma despite that it had been involved in an accident.

Marufu paid the comprehensive premium for the insurance cover through Chuma.

On May 5, 2022, they staged a road traffic accident involving the Volkswagen 6 with a Toyota Mark 2 belonging to Onward Dewa.

On May 28, 2022, Chuma together with his accomplices who are already on remand made a concocted claim that the car was extensively damaged on the front, rear boot left side and also attached a false police report.

Chuma, who is employed by Bright Insurance Company as a broker, facilitated the claim papers until a payment was made.

Chuma and his accomplices later shared the proceeds. This resulted in Old Mutual losing US$13 885 and nothing was recovered.

In another matter. the State alleges that in December 2021, Chuma's accomplice, Dhonga was approached by Moheleza Kihahira who told him that his unregistered grey Mazda Atenza had been involved in an accident in Willowvale and was parked at his house in Glen View hence he wanted him to repair it.

They went on to insure the already accident damaged car through Chuma despite the fact that it was already involved in an accident.

Using the same modus operandi, they processed a false insurance claim that the car was damaged on the boot, boot lights, the whole left side, front lights, bumper front, grill and bonnet with the cost of repairs being US$9 524.90 to Old Mutual Insurance, knowing that the claim was based on false information.

As a result, Old Mutual Insurance Company processed and paid the claim for the sum of US$9 524.90.

That led to a loss of US$9 524.90 on the part of Old Mutual Insurance Company to Chuma and his accomplices.

Dzuda remanded Chuma out of custody and ordered him to appear in court on March 30.