HARARE — Hezy Motors Logistics founder Hazel Silibaziso Mafu has been remanded in custody after appearing before the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing fraud c...
HARARE — Hezy Motors Logistics founder Hazel Silibaziso Mafu has been remanded in custody after appearing before the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing fraud charges linked to an alleged vehicle importation scheme that reportedly prejudiced 79 complainants of nearly US$1 million.
The 35-year-old is accused of defrauding clients between 2022 and 2026 through a vehicle importation business which allegedly accepted payments from customers but failed to deliver the promised vehicles.
According to the State, Mafu advertised vehicle importation services through social media, electronic platforms and print media, claiming she had the capacity to source and deliver imported vehicles within agreed timeframes at competitive prices.
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Prosecutors allege that the advertisements attracted 79 clients, who paid varying amounts of money for the importation of motor vehicles after believing the representations made by the company.
The State further alleges that despite receiving the funds, Mafu failed to supply the vehicles as agreed. Prosecutors say she misrepresented her ability to fulfil the orders while knowing she neither had the intention nor the capacity to do so.
According to court papers, the actual prejudice currently stands at US$624,958.96 and ZiG1,275,878.35, although investigators believe the total amount involved is close to US$1 million when all reported complaints are considered. No recoveries have been made to date.
The latest court appearance follows months of investigations into Hezy Motors Logistics. In May, the Zimbabwe Republic Police launched a public appeal for information leading to Mafu’s arrest after initially receiving reports from 20 complainants who had allegedly lost more than US$155,000 in failed vehicle import deals.
During the same period, five employees of Hezy Motors Logistics appeared before the courts facing fraud-related charges after allegedly continuing to receive payments from clients despite knowing the company was unable to deliver imported vehicles. The employees were granted bail while investigations continued.
Mafu was remanded in custody, with the matter postponed to Monday for the hearing of her bail application. Police investigations are continuing and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional complainants coming forward as the probe expands.
The case is one of Zimbabwe’s largest alleged vehicle import fraud investigations in recent years and comes amid repeated warnings from police urging members of the public to verify the credibility of vehicle import companies before making payments.
