Zimra ICT manager charged for defrauding motorists
By Tarisai Machakaire
An Information Communication Technology (ICT) manager at Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) was hauled before the courts yesterday for defrauding motorists’ by issuing fake vehicle registration particulars.
Sidney Kunesu, 42, of Prospect, Waterfalls, was jointly charged with Mhandu Chigwara, 39, of Unit B Chitungwiza when they appeared before Harare magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti.
The pair is out on $50 bail each and remanded to December 19 for trial.
The complainant is Peter Jabson Ndoga, 66, of Unit A, Seke in Chitungwiza.
Prosecutor Desire Chidanire alleged that on May 4, 2012 around 10am, Chigwara approached Ndoga and convinced him that he had a relative who worked at Zimra that could assist him to register his Toyota Hilux.
The following day, Chigwara proceeded to Zimra offices in the company of Ndoga and his wife.
They had planned to meet Kunesu and regularise their car registration.
When they arrived, Chigwara got into the offices and came out with Kunesu before introducing him to Ndoga.
Kunesu started inspecting Ndoga’s car and opened the bonnet before noting the engine number.
After the inspection, Kunesu advised Ndoga that registration and duty payment for the Toyota Hilux was $2 500.
Ndoga’s wife then pulled out $2 500 from her bag and handed it over to her husband before it was given Chigwara to verify the amount.
Chigwara passed the cash to Kunesu before complainants were advised to return to the offices a day later.
When Ndoga and his wife returned to the offices, they were given a fake vehicle registration book and plates.
After some time, Chigwara collected $175 from Ndoga after misrepresenting that it would cover costs for acquiring a third number plate.
When the vehicle registration book was later taken to Central Vehicle Registration offices for verification, the results reflected the particulars were for a different car, a Honda CRV.
Post Office official Phenias Yasu confirmed that the vehicle registration book was fake.
The complainant was defrauded of $2 675 and nothing was recovered. Daily News
