Harare businessman Shingai Muringi (32) was yesterday denied bail on charges of fraud involving US$50 000 after he allegedly attempted to buy back a car he had sold to a car sale owner.
The matter appeared before Harare magistrate Lisa Mutendereki.
In her ruling magistrate Mutendereki said State has a strong case against Muringi,she further indicated that the circumstances on which Muringi was denied bail on different case are similar hence he is not a good candidate for bail.
The complainant, Patrick Mutenha, is the manager of Kensington Motors.
Prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu said on August 4 last year, Muringi was arrested for fraud and money laundering, resulting in his white Toyota Hilux double cab being impounded and held by police as an exhibit.
The matter was referred to Harare Magistrates’ Court for prosecution where Muringi applied for the release of the vehicle.
On December 18, a provincial magistrate granted a court order for the release of the car from police custody, but on condition that Muringi would produce the vehicle whenever the police or State wanted to see it.
He was also ordered not to dispose of the vehicle in any way pending the finalisation of the matter. On the same date, the police released the car to Muringi .
- Harare businessman denied bail on US$50k fraud case
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However, on December 20 last year Muringi sold the same car to Mutenha for US$50 000 without telling him about the conditions of the court order.
Muringi allegedly lured to repurchase the vehicle from Mutenha, but was turned down, he then filed a police report against Mutenha accusing him of theft of motor vehicle.
The court further heard that on April 3, this year Mutenha was arrested for car theft.
It is during the course of investigations that it was discovered that Muringi had no mandate to dispose the car as directed by the court order. The car was impounded and kept as an exhibit.
Due to Muringi’s actions, Mutenha suffered a prejudice of US$50 000 and nothing was recovered.
