By Tendai Rupapa
HARARE – Business came to a halt at the Harare Magistrates’ Court yesterday when the Bentley, which is at the centre of a criminal dispute involving Spirit Embassy Ministries founder Prophet Uebert Angel Mudzanire and a Harare businessman, Mr Ndabazinengi Shava, was brought to court as an exhibit.
The Bentley Continental 2010 model, valued at $300 000, was brought for inspection and the presiding regional magistrate, Mr Noel Mupeiwa, briefly adjourned so the court could go outside and inspect it.
The investigating officer, Detective Assistant Inspector Israel Mhondiwa, led the proceedings and showed the court the vehicle in question.
Mr Mupeiwa accepted it as an exhibit.
The court will later make a decision after the trial on the disposal of the vehicle.
People who had come to attend other court sessions stopped and stared as motorists also slowed down or stopped to have a look at the car that is the subject of controversy between the fugitive prophet and Mr Shava.
Mr Mupeiwa adjourned the matter to Wednesday next week after the State, led by Mr Editor Mavuto, told the court that he intended to produce a document from the Registrar of the High Court.
It is alleged Mr Shava was convinced by Angel to surrender his Bentley as a way of sowing a seed into his life, but the “man of God” immediately sold the vehicle despite having promised to return it to the owner if he failed to reap the promised harvest within the stipulated period.
Mr Shava, the director of Faith Age Holdings Zimbabwe, told the court that Angel later relocated to the United Kingdom and blocked any communication with him.
Anderson Tagara, who is accused of aiding Angel in defrauding Mr Shava of his vehicle, is the one on trial and is denying the charges.
Through his lawyer, Mr Itayi Ndudzo, Tagara denied the charges arguing that he was the owner of the car in question.
Part of the defence outline reads: “In February 2012 accused person (Tagara) purchased his own Bentley using his sole and exclusive funds.
“It was only subsequent to the importation and registration of the vehicle in May that accused was approached by his then friend, Shava, with an offer for the purchase of the vehicle.
“After negotiations the accused sold the vehicle to Shava and delivered it to him.” The Herald
