Mechanic steals car he had been entrusted with for...

Mechanic steals car he had been entrusted with for repairs

Michael Mashiri

A mechanic, who tried to manoeuvre his way out after stealing a car he had been given by a client for repairs, has appeared in court before magistrate Munashe Chibanda.

Panashe Karimusango, 22, appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with theft of trust property and fraud.

The State, through prosecutor Zebediah Bofu, alleges that in February 2022, the complainant in this matter took his car, a green Land Rover Discovery to Karimusango’s garage for repairs after it had developed a mechanical fault.

Karimusango told the complainant that the engine was no longer serviceable and offered him another one which he recommended.

The complainant paid US$1 000, leaving a balance of US$600.

In March 2023, complainant went to Karimusango’s garage and discovered that the gear box, registration numbers and all suspension had been removed.

The complainant asked about the missing components, but Karimusango failed to account for them.

Karimusango also removed the car’s registration plates and affixed them on another car and went on to renew the cars’ insurance without the complainant’s knowledge.

Karimusango became evasive and this forced the complainant to file a police report.

On June 24, detectives from CID Vehicle Theft Squad, Harare were informed, leading to Karimusango’s arrest.

The complainant was prejudiced of a total of US$18 500 and nothing was recovered.

Chibanda, ordered Karimusango to pay ZWL$100 000 bail and will appear in court on August 23 for his routine remand.