Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Yeukai Karengezeka Court Correspondent

Another application for exception filed by the suspected fraudster Michael Smith, who is facing 40 counts of fraud and corruptly concealing transactions from his principal, has been dismissed by Harare magistrate Mrs Ethel Chichera.

The trial is failing to progress as Smith has been filing applications so that although none have so far been upheld they have delayed the trial. This time Smith was arguing that the charge sheet does not disclose an offence. But the court ruled that the charges were not vague and therefore he could plead to the charges.

Smith through his lawyer went further to propose that the matter be adjourned to March 27 but the State led by Mr Anesu Chirenje protested saying the adjournment should not be more than two weeks as the witnesses have been coming religiously since November 2022. So the trial now re-opens on March 15.

The State is expected to lead 38 witnesses.

Smith allegedly defrauded MA Auto Suppliers, trading as Mr Cruiser, of at least US$38 000 and R124 000. He is also facing charges of theft of trust property. Smith, was a director with MA Auto Suppliers but while Michael Scot Asher of the same company was away in Australia during the Covid-19 era when travelling was restricted, Smith allegedly failed to disclose to Mr Asher that their company was paying its South African suppliers through a third party, Mant Procurement (Pvt) Ltd.

Smith also allegedly imported two tents, a station wagon rear bumper and an RHS Carrier under the name of MA Auto Suppliers before selling them for personal gain.

Additionally, Smith is expected to defend himself for failing to account for US$28 985,72 in service charges received from relatives and friends after using the company’s resources.

It is the State’s case that in September last year, MA Auto Suppliers discovered that Mant Procurement was overcharging the company and MA had suffered prejudice of over R100 000.

Giving prosecution details of how Smith used the company, he allegedly imported two tents using MA Auto Suppliers resources and sold them to Ms Horsley for US$1,800.

Smith allegedly used the same modus operandi to import a station wagon rear bumper and RHS carrier and the customer paid R24 259,83 directly into Mant Procurement’s FNB account.

On another occasion, Smith was authorised by Mr Asher to sell a company Toyota Land Cruiser for US$7 500 and he allegedly converted the amount to his own use.

In November 2020, Smith also failed to account for a US$10 000 loan advanced to the company.

During his previous court appearance, the investigating officer presented evidence that Smith had committed the offence.

Key evidence was extracted from several communication devices by the Police Cyber Lab and should prove key to the case.

Yeukai Karengezeka Court Correspondent

A Chinese national who is accused of using a vehicle worth US$98 000 as collateral for a loan, despite not owning it was today granted US$300 bail.

Meng Dong (34) who appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei charged with theft of trust property is expected to return to court on March 11, for trial commencement.

Meng is represented by his lawyer Mr Freddy Masarirevhu.

The complainant is Sun Hao aged 51.

State prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti alleged that on February 2, at around 2 pm, Weng requested a motor vehicle from Sun to use for only four days.

He was given a pearl white Nissan Patrol and he drove it away.

Then on February 5, at around midday, Meng went to Wiltech Auto Trade Car Sale located at number 4 Enterprise Road, Harare, where he sold Sun’s car purporting to be his agent using fake documents.

It is alleged that Sun approached Meng intending to collect his motor vehicle and was advised that the motor vehicle had been used as loan collateral for a loan Meng had borrowed.

He then decided to make a police report at ZRP Highlands.

On Sunday, Meng was arrested and he led detectives to the recovery of the stolen motor vehicle from Wilberforce Ruzvidzo of Wiltech Auto Trade Carsale in Harare, who had bought it.

The total value stolen is US$98 000 and all was recovered.

Yeukai Karengezeka Court Correspondent

A fight over selling space nearly ended in tragedy in Mbare on Saturday after a gang reportedly doused a rival’s house with petrol before setting it on fire.

Accused Justice Chihwai (26) appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Donald Ndirowei charged with malicious property damage and was remanded on US$500 bail yesterday to April 11 for routine remand.

State prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti alleged that on Saturday at around 11 pm, Chihwai and accomplices Bright Nyausoko, Blessing Charakupa and Brendon, who are all still at large, approached Jerry James (28) who operates at the Vito complex in Mbare where the gang members also operate.

Following an alleged misunderstanding, James was in his vehicle at Liquor Palace, Stoddart complex, Mbare when the four, who were armed with stones, surrounded his vehicle intending to assault him. James drove off at a high speed and went to ZRP Stoddart where he notified the police.

But while he was at the police station, James’ wife Samantha Musawaro (28) phoned and told him that Chihwai and his accomplices were at their house throwing stones at the front door shouting and threatening to kill James. They then left. James was at the police station when all this was transpiring.

Then at around 3 am, the gang of four came back and splashed petrol on the curtains and lit them. A sofa, five blankets, a basket for clothes, curtains and a coffee table were burnt.

Chihwai was then arrested in Mbare the following day.