Woman loses US$30k in vehicle importation deal

Michael Mashiri

Zim Now Reporter

A man has been taken to court on allegations of defrauding US$30 000 meant for the importation of a car from South Africa.

Richwell Chingwalo, 26, of Greendale, appeared before magistrate Standford Mambanje at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts facing fraud allegations.

He was ordered to deposit US$200 as bail.

The complainant in this matter is Natasha Chidemo, 36, of Eye Court Waterfalls, owner of Granacon Investments Pvt Ltd, which is in the business of selling of hardware.

The State alleges that sometime in August 2023, Chingwalo met Chidemo and lied that he was able to import car on her behalf.

In the same month, Chidemo had an agreement with Chingwalo where the latter was to import a Toyota Fortuner 4X4 from South Africa on his behalf.

It is alleged that on August 22, 2023, Chidemo paid a deposit of US$15 500 to Chingwalo. US$10 000 was paid in cash and US$5 500 was deposited into a South African company account.

In October 2023, Chingwalo requested for transportation costs for the car from South Africa to Zimbabwe and Chidemo paid US$1 000.

It is alleged that on October 27, 2023, Chingwalo told Chidemo to deposit US$12 100 into his South Africa-registered company, Richwell Trading and Projects’ Nedbank account for payment of import duty for the Toyota Fortuner and the money was deposited into the said account.

Since last year, Chingwalo failed to deliver the car.

As a result, Chidemo lost US$30 600.