Car sales dealer cons US$5.5k, over ZWL$7.7m in fa...

Car sales dealer cons US$5.5k, over ZWL$7.7m in fake car import deal

Michael Mashiri

A Harare man has appeared in court accused of defrauding more than US$5 500 which was meant to import a car.

Thembalethu Dhlovu, 35, of Westlea, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi charged with fraud.

The State, through prosecutor Zebediah Bofu, alleges that in February 2003 in Harare, the complainant contacted Dhlovu’s accomplice, one Knowledge Mutsuko, who is still at large and is based in Canada and told him that he needed help in importing a car from Japan since he had once imported one for his wife.

The complainant was referred to Dhlovu so that he could get the help he wanted.

They met at Joina City, corner Jason Moyo and Innez Terez and Dhlovu told the complainant that he was able to help him in buying the car and its transportation.

In March, the complainant went to Dhlovu's car sale in Avondale and told him that he wanted a Toyota Vitz new shape.

Dhlovu told the complainant that he needed US$5 500 to buy the car and the money would cater for payment of duty and costs which may arise.

Dhlovu told the complainant that he would deliver the car within three months.

He gave a receipt to the complainant as proof of payment for the car. Dhlovu also told the complainant that he would sign an agreement of sale once he had bought the car.

On March 18, 2013, Dhlovu contacted the complainant and told him that his accomplice had bought the car and he invited him to his car sale so that they could sign an agreement of sale.

Dhlovu signed an agreement of sale of Toyota Vitz, chassis number KSP 130-2069234.

Dhlovu later on called the complainant and told him that his accomplice had bought another car and he invited him for the amendment of the chassis number NSP 1302139411.

After three months the complainant made a follow-up on the car but Dhlovu and his accomplice failed to deliver or even to give a satisfactory answer about the position of the car.

Dhlovu’s accomplice later on told the complainant that the car had arrived in South Africa from Japan and money was needed for duty.

There was a misunderstanding between the two parties with the complainant saying he had paid all the money that was needed.

Later, the complainant and Dhlovu’s accomplice agreed that he would pay half duty in Zimbabwean dollars, while Dhlovu would pay the remaining amount in United States dollars.

The complainant paid the money and started to ask for his car, but Dhlovu and his accomplice became evasive.

Dhlovu failed to even deliver the papers for the car, which he claimed were at the border in South Africa.

The matter was reported to the police, leading to Dhlovu's arrest.

As a result, the complainant suffered a US$5 500 and ZWL$7 726 732.50 prejudice and nothing was recovered.

Dhlovu was ordered to pay US$200 as bail.

He will appear in court on October 2 for his routine remand.