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Court Correspondent
A police detective stationed at CID Southerton Property yesterday appeared in court for allegedly defrauding two people of cash amounting to $5 200 in botched car deals.

Lovemore Marwisa was facing one count of fraud and another of theft of trust property when he appeared before magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe. He was granted $50 bail and ordered to reside at his given address and not to interfere with witnesses.

Allegations are that on February 6 2015, Bire White (32) was approached by his workmate Hillary Mugwagwa who informed him that there was a motor vehicle which was being sold since he wanted to buy a car. Bire, it is alleged, met Marwisa who was in the company of his accomplice Tichaona Chirume who is still at large and the three drove to Chirume’s residence where Bire was shown a BMW 318i.

The court heard that Bire was told that the price of the motor vehicle was $2 500 and was also told to pay $800 and pay the balance over a period of three months.

It is alleged that both parties drove to High-Glen Shopping Centre where Bire gave Marwisa and Chirume $700 which they shared among themselves.

It is alleged that Marwisa and Chirume told Bire he would collect the car the following morning. On the following morning, it is alleged that Bire went to Chirume’s residence to collect the car, but failed to locate him until in the evening where he was told to come the following day.

Bire allegedly tried to collect the car on several occasions, but failed as Marwisa and Chirume were evading him. On January 11 2016, Bire was called by Marwisa to meet them along Bulawayo Road.

The court heard that Marwisa and Chirume told Bire that the car they had sold to him was damaged beyond repair and opted to give him the Mercedes Benz they had come with on condition he topped up $1 300 which he refused to do and demanded a refund.

They refused to pay back. In the second incident Rumbidzai Kanyanda (29) went with her car to Chirume who is a mechanic specialising in BMWs for it to be fixed and left it at his garage. After two weeks she was told by Chirume that the car needed a new pump and she paid $200. After two weeks Chirume told her that the car needed new injectors and she paid $500.

It is alleged that Chirume and Marwisa then sold the car. Kanyanda reported the matter leading Marwisa’s arrest.

The total value of the stole property is $4 500