Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent
A 27-year-old man has been dragged to court, accused of swindling US$18,000 from a businesswoman who wanted to import a vehicle.
Rhys Copen Matambo of Ruwa appeared before the Harare Magistrate's Court facing fraud charges. He is expected back in court on July 31.
The complainant is Definite Tsitsi Chikonzo, director of Aspire Heights and Deerel Beauty Academy.
The court heard that in March 2024, Chikonzo was looking to purchase a Range Rover Sport when she met one Tinei Muzira, who claimed that Matambo could import the vehicle from South Africa on her behalf. Muzira gave her Matambo’s contact details.
On April 1, 2024, at around 1:30 PM, Chikonzo contacted Matambo and invited him to her workplace at the corner of Nelson Mandela Avenue and Angwa Street in Harare.
Matambo, accompanied by Muzira, visited Chikonzo and confirmed that he could import the car for US$18,000.
In Muzira’s presence, Chikonzo paid an initial deposit of US$10,000. No formal agreement was signed.
Matambo promised to deliver the vehicle by April 5, 2024.
Later that month, while allegedly in South Africa, Matambo requested the balance and sent an unidentified woman to collect it. Chikonzo handed over US$8,000 to the woman in the presence of her younger sister, Delight Chikonzo.
Matambo acknowledged receipt of the funds and assured Chikonzo that the car would be delivered on April 8, 2024.
However, he failed to deliver as promised and did not provide a satisfactory explanation. Instead, he refunded only US$3,000, leaving an outstanding balance of US$15,000.
Matambo then became evasive, prompting Chikonzo to report the matter to the police.
In total, Chikonzo lost US$18,000, with only US$3,000 recovered so far.
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