ANCILLA GOTORE

MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO – A 38-year-old Masvingo car dealer Nongerai Mahora of 2861 Mashuku Street in Aphiri has been remanded in prison by local Magistrate Tafadzwa Mhlanga after he was caught with 23 vehicle registration books and eight metal number plates.

He faces 20 years in prison if convicted.

He is now accused of smuggling motor vehicles into the country and manipulating Central Vehicle Registration system through computerised scam of imported motor vehicles particulars.

The crime promotes dual-ownership of a single vehicle when the actual owner appears unaware and is involved in the scam.

Mahora is charged with contravening Section 44 of the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act Chapter 13:14 ‘Forgery’ and Section 182 of the Customs and Exercise Act Chapter 23:02 ‘Smuggling’.

The accused who is represented by Charles Ndlovu of Ndlovu and Hwacha was denied bail by Magistrate Mhlanga. The bail was refused because the accused escaped from Police only to be re-apprehended last Friday and the offense attracts 20 years in jail.

The court also considered that the accused was found in possession of 23 registration books and eight number plates that contain different evidence in relation to owners.

Tarisai Muvengi prosecuted.

It is the State case that on August 24, 2022 the accused was found in possession of two motor vehicles, a Ford Ranger XL 2.5 with forged registration number plates AAX1703 and KIA K2700 with forged license discs and details.

Upon checking the motor vehicle, a scanned license disc with AAX1703 was recovered with further checks. The license QR code contains information about car of different make, Honda CRV with registration number plates ACD2994.

The number plate AED2177 was also recovered stacked on the front motor vehicle screen.

The accused escaped as Police towed the vehicle to the Police station.

On January 13, 2023 the accused was found in possession of license disc with vehicle registration plates ADG7592 which upon scanning of the QR code the disc contains information about another vehicle registration number plates AAI5566.