Duo dupes car rental, sells 2 hired vehicles

A MUFAKOSE man rued the day he connived with a colleague to steal and sell two hired vehicles from a car rental company in the City Centre after he was recently remanded in custody.

Kelvin Karon Padzarandora (36) of number 71 Musasa Avenue, Mufakose appeared before Gweru Regional Magistrate Mr Morgan Nemadire facing two counts of theft.

Prosecuting, Kelvin Guvheya told the court that on February 13 the accused person and his accomplice Artwell Marufu who is still at large connived and hired a Chevrolet Aveo from Carhub Vehicle rental.

“To hire one vehicle one had to pay $200 and $20 was charged for daily usage; the two deposited $220 but did not collect the vehicle and gave an excuse that they were to collect it the following day.

“On February 25 Padzarandora in company of Marufu collected the vehicle and made a top up of $40 so that they would use the vehicle for two more days.

 “On February 28 accused went on to pay $250 which he said was for extension again.

“As the vehicle was due the alleged thief did not hand it over back to the rental company but instead he proceeded to Zvishavane where he sold it to Fernard Mutsuke for $2200,” he said.

Guvheya said that Padzarandora went on to receive a deposit of $800 and the balance was to be paid upon production of the registration book.

On March 1 the accused person gave Mutsuke a fraudulently acquired registration book and received the outstanding balance.

The value of the vehicle was $6000.

 On count two, February 28 Padzarandora again proceeded to the Carhub Vehicle rentals intending to hire out another motor vehicle.

“He indicated that he wanted to hire an Isuzu KB250 and went to pay $1020 which included a deposit of $300 and a hiring fee of $120 per day.

The court heard that on March 8 accused proceeded to Zvishavane where he again sold the vehicle to a Charles Shava for a swap and top deal of $20000.

“The following day representatives of the rental company made efforts to contact the accused so that he could return the vehicle as it was due but he was reachable.

“On March 10 the accused person went on to produce a fraudulently acquired registration book and further received $4800,” said Mr Guvheya.

The value of the vehicle was $38000

The court heard that the accused person was caught in Gweru trying to sell another vehicle leading to his arrest.

The value of the stolen vehicles was $46000 and they were all recovered.

Padzarandora is pleading not guilty to the two counts and was remanded in custody to May 29 for sentencing.