Harare man sells impounded vehicle, reports it stolen

person in handcuffs holding bundles of cash — Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

A 32 year old Harare man, Shingai Levison Muringi was arraigned before the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing charges of fraud, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is reporting.

The case

On the 4th of August 2023, Muringi was arrested for Fraud and Money Laundering and his Toyota Hilux double cab was impounded and held as an exhibit. He applied to the Court for the release of the vehicle and the application was granted on condition that he must avail the vehicle upon request by the Police or the Prosecutor. He was also ordered not to dispose of the said vehicle pending the finalisation of the matter. The Police released the motor vehicle to the accused person on the same day.

On the 20th of December 2023, Muringi allegedly sold the same motor vehicle to the complainant for $50,000; he generated an agreement of sale and did not disclose that the vehicle was an exhibit in a pending criminal case. In an effort to conceal the evidence, he attempted to buy the vehicle back but was turned down. He then filed a police report against the complainant alleging theft of the motor vehicle. On the 3rd of April 2024, the complainant was arrested for theft of the motor vehicle by the Police. During the course of the investigations, it was discovered that the accused person had no authority to dispose of the vehicle as ordered by the Court. The motor vehicle was impounded and is now currently being held as an exhibit The complainant was prejudiced of USD50 000 and nothing was recovered.