Man in Court Over US$5k Fake Car Hire for Zanu PF Delegates

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A 27-year-old man from Budiriro has appeared in court facing fraud charges after allegedly duping a complainant into handing over two vehicles in a bogus car hire deal for Zanu PF delegates, resulting in a loss of US$5 600.

Martin Mutize, of Budiriro 3, appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court charged with fraud and was remanded in custody.

The State alleges that in July, Mutize told the complainant he had secured a 28-day car hire contract for two of the complainant’s vehicles — a Toyota Hilux and an Audi — to transport Zanu PF delegates.

He allegedly agreed to pay US$150 per day for the Toyota Hilux and US$50 per day for the Audi. Convinced by this arrangement, the complainant released the vehicles to him.

However, after the agreed period, the complainant discovered the cars had never been hired by Zanu PF. Instead, Mutize had allegedly used them for his own purposes.

The complainant suffered a loss of US$5 600, and nothing has been recovered.