Businessman Muringi faces fresh fraud charges

HARARE businessman Shingai Levison Muringi (32) is back in court on fresh charges of fraud involving US$50 000 after he allegedly attempted to buy back a car he had sold to a car sale owner.

Muringi, who is general manager of LKH Petroleum (Pvt) Ltd, is already in custody on a charge of defrauding a fuel company of US$170 000 after they delivered 120 000 litres of fuel, but the proof of payment was fake.

He is expected to make his bail application today on the US$170 000 fraud charge, but will have to wait until Monday before applying for bail on the new charge before Harare magistrate Mr Dennis Mangosi.

The complainant, Mr Patrick Mutenha, is the manager of Kensington Motors located at the corner Prince Edward and Cork Road, Harare.

Prosecutor Mr Rufaro Chonzi said on August 4 last year, Muringi was arrested for fraud and money laundering, resulting in his white Toyota Hilux double cab registration number AGE 2352 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 .

However, on December 20, Muringi sold the same car Mr Mutenha for US$50 000 without telling him about the conditions of the court order. Muringi allegedly lured to repurchase the vehicle from Mr Mutenha, but was turned down. He then filed a police report against Mr Mutenha accusing him of theft of motor vehicle.

The court further heard that on April 3, 2024 Mr 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, Mr Mutenha suffered a prejudice of US$50 000 and nothing was recovered.