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500 she swindled a client in a car deal.
Mukazhi (33), a director of Tromage Enterprises, who was facing a charge of theft of trust property, was convicted after a fully contested trial. In convicting, Mukazhi, the court found that the State had managed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“It is the court’s finding that after accused (Mukazhi) had received money from the complainant, she then gave false impressions that she had gone to Japan and had bought the vehicle which was to be delivered as per the agreed date,” ruled Harare magistrate Mr Shane Kubonera.

“The accused said she was not well versed with the English language and did not understand the contents of her e-mails. However, the court finds this very surprising,” he said.
Mr Kubonera sentenced Mukazhi to four years in jail before suspending one year for five years on condition she does not commit a similar offence within that period. A further two years were suspended on condition Mukazhi restitutes US$26 500 to the complainant on or before October 28 this year.

The remaining one-year was suspended on condition she performs 420 hours of community service at Chishawasha Clinic. In mitigation, Mukazhi through her lawyers Mr Admire Rubaya and Mr Everson Chatambudza pleaded with the court to impose a non custodial sentence arguing she was a first offender looking after six children. Prosecutor Mr David Magwegwe said that sometime in October last year, Mukazhi’s company placed an advert in the local newspapers urging members of the public to purchase cars from Japan through her company.

On November 3, the complainant responded to the advert and approached Mukazhi. She informed him that she was about to leave the country for Japan to buy vehicles for other customers. Mukazhi told the complainant she had a licence, which allowed her to buy vehicles at auctions in Japan at lower prices.
The complainant, however, told Mukazhi that he wanted her to bring him a Toyota Prado. He was advised that such vehicles would cost US$26 500 inclusive of freight charges to Harare.

The two then agreed on the purchase price and the complainant was ordered to deposit the money into Mukazhi’s Standard Bank account and he complied.