(Last Updated on January 9, 2016 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – A 35-year-old man appeared in court answering to allegations of duping a United Kingdom Zimbabwean-based man of cash in a car clearance deal while posing as a police officer.
Phillip Zimbiru, of No.24 Beatrice, appeared at the Harare magistrates’ court charged with impersonating a police officer and fraud.
He is standing accused of duping Owen Wenyeve of US$2 700.
Zimbiru, who is being represented by lawyer Jivas Mudimu, denied the charged when he appeared before magistrate Jessy Kufa.
It is said that on September 14 2015 Wenyeve met with Zimbiru at Houghton Park service station along Simon Mazorodze and told him that he had a Mercedes Benz he had imported from Britain.
Wenyeve reportedly told Zimbiru that officials from ZIMRA had approached him saying his car was not properly registered and they wanted to impound it.
Reports are that Zimbiru told Wenyeve that he was a police officer stationed at CID Vehicle Theft Squad and was stationed at Southerton.
The court heard that Zimbiru told Wenyeve that he was capable of helping him since he was linked to ZIMRA officials.
On an unknown date, Zimbiru is said to have visited Wenyeve at his house in Highfield where he told him that his car was registered in Simbarashe Murambaguhwa’s name.
He also allegedly told him that the car was also under police surveillance.
Zimbiru reportedly told Wenyeve that he wanted to inspect the car.
Further allegations are that Zimbiru told Wenyeve that ZIMRA wanted US$3 500 for import duty but he could pay US$2 500 through him.
It is said that Wenyeve managed to pay US$2 700 to Zimbiru on different dates.
Reports are that the car was not registered and Zimbiru was nowhere to be found which led to Wenyeve to take the matter to the police.
Zimbiru was arrested and taken to court facing two criminal offences.