Chegutu car dealer in court for fraud

Michael Mashiri

A Chegutu man, who allegedly defrauded US$3 975, from the complainant in car deal has been taken to court.

Dought Zenenga, 46, appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts charged with fraud.

He was granted US$100 bail and will appear in court on April 29, for his routine remand.

The complainant in this matter is Mudasiyana Deke employed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education as a teacher.

The State, through prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi, alleges that in June 2023, Zenenga advertised a Mazda Demi in his WhatsApp group he used to sell cars to people.

Deke was interested and approached Zenenga who told her pay an initial so that he could facilitate the importation of the car on her behalf.

The court heard that Zenega paid the first instalment of US$2 000 in the same month through a bank deposit and Zenenga told Deke that the car would be delivered in eight weeks.

In November 2023, Deke made a follow-up, she was told by Zenenga that the car would be delivered immediately after her paying the balance of US$1 975.

The State alleges that Deke then paid US$1 975 to Zenenga to make a total of US$3 975 as the full payment of the car.

After receiving the payments, Zenega failed to deliver the car to her.

Deke tried to contact Zenenga, but he began giving excuses on why the car had not been delivered.

Later, Zenenga was unreachable and several attempts were made to contact him but nothing happened.

Deke realised she had been duped and made a report Zenenga at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

As a result, Deke was prejudiced US$3 975.