The wheels of justice continue to turn for flamboyant Harare businessman, Matthew Musengezi, as he found himself back in the clutches of the law just minutes after being fined $150 following the finalisation of the culpable homicide case that made him languish beind bars for nearly three weeks.
As he was walking out of the jaws of justice to taste freedom once more, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) officers apprehended him, this time on charges of fraud related to the illegal importation of pricey vehicles.
Musengezi, known for his lavish lifestyle and penchant for high-end vehicles, was arrested on Monday as he exited Harare Remand Prison, where he had spent 19 days following a fatal accident that claimed the life of a man celebrating his birthday. The accident, which occurred in Harare, saw Musengezi convicted of failing to stop after an accident and subsequently banned from driving for 30 days.
However, his brief taste of freedom was short-lived. ZACC officers, who had been investigating him for alleged fraudulent activities involving the importation of vehicles, swooped in, effectively turning his release into a swift re-arrest.
The allegations against Musengezi are serious, with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) claiming that he fraudulently imported a 2020 Ford Ranger, generating false invoices to disguise the origins of the vehicle. He is accused of presenting falsified documentation to the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) and ZIMRA, ultimately obtaining a Customs Clearance Certificate that allowed him to register the vehicle illegally.
“On September 1, last year, at Beitbridge Border Post, Musengezi fraudulently imported a 2020 Ford Ranger with chassis number 6FPXXMJ2PLG06685,” stated Epson Moyo, the Supervisor under the Motor Traffic Division of ZIMRA, who is the complainant in the case. “Thereafter, Musengezi allegedly went on to generate fraudulent invoices purporting that he had procured Ford Ranger engine parts, and accessories, from a non-existent company in Guruve.”
The alleged fraudulent activities extend beyond the Ford Ranger. Investigations revealed that a 2020 Toyota Fortuner SUV, with registration number AGE 5418, was also illegally imported and registered. The vehicle, which has no import history, was allegedly purchased at a ZIMRA public auction rummage sale. However, further investigations led to the recovery of the Fortuner from Prince Takunda Murove, who indicated that the vehicle was bought by his company, Better Brands, from Tinashe Mureyane, the owner of La Parada Car Sale.
The Ford Ranger was also recovered from La Parada, where it was established that both vehicles belonged to Musengezi. The State alleges that ZIMRA lost US$40 000 as a result of these fraudulent transactions.
Musengezi’s latest court appearance saw him appear visibly distressed, a stark contrast to his usual confident demeanour. The three weeks he spent in remand prison, a far cry from his usual life of luxury and travel to cities like Las Vegas and Los Angeles, seemed to have taken its toll.
As ZACC officers led him into court, Musengezi turned to journalists, accusing them of writing “lies” about his cases and at one stage, stopped and paraded his face for the cameras, seemingly seeking to control the narrative surrounding his legal woes.
The magistrate, while consenting to bail, demanded that Musengezi justify his release, forcing him to spend another night in remand prison. He is expected back in court today, where the State will present its case for why bail should be granted.
This latest legal battle adds another chapter to Musengezi’s tumultuous journey through the Zimbabwean legal system. The case is expected to attract significant attention as it unfolds, with the public eagerly awaiting the outcome of the investigation and the potential consequences for the flamboyant mbinga who was once a familiar figure on Harare’s social scene, known for his penchant for luxury cars, designer clothes, and lavish parties.
