Woman accused of stealing 9 cars she hired

**Barbara Matora (in red tracksuit) arriving at the Harare Magistrate's Courts**

Michael Mashiri

A Harare woman has appeared in court accused of stealing cars by hiring them then selling them off with fake registration papers.

Barbara Matora, 39, of Warren Park D, appeared before magistrate Apolonia Marutya at the Harare Magistrate's Courts facing fraud allegations.

The State, through prosecutor Zebediah Bofu, alleges that on November 16, 2023, Matora went to a city car sale business and hired two Honda Fits and a Toyota Hiace.

On December 4, the car sales owner heard that Matora was in Eastlea trying to sell a car with a fake registration book.

On arrival at the place, the dealer discovered that Matora had allegedly sold the car using fake papers.

The State also alleges that on November 5, Matora hired a Toyota Aqua Fit and a Toyota Runx from a different car dealer.

On December 4, 2021, the dealer was tipped and went to Eastlea were Matora had produced fake registration books and sold the cars.

The state further alleges that on October 26, Matora sold a Toyota Allex and Toyota Hiace in the same circumstances.

The court heard that on December 1, Matora, approached another dealer, and hired two Nissan Caravans which she later tried to sell to the same person in Eastlea.

All vehicles were recovered.

Matora will appear in court on December 11, for bail ruling.