By Nyasha Chuma
A vehicle clearing agent pulled the rug underneath the feet of a local motoring company after taking ownership of four vehicles which he had been instructed to clear at the border.
Solution Motors managing director Patrick Siyawamwaya has arraigned Tonderai Masimba Saurombe before the High Court with claiming payment of U$71 000 being cash to deliver four vehicles.
Solution motors is also claiming interest on the total sum at the rate of 5% per annum from the date of summons filed this week to date of payment plus costs of suit on a legal practitioner- client scale.
In its founding affidavit, Solution Motors said sometime in November 2019 Saurombe was paid a total amount of’ US$7l,000.00 being part payment to deliver four vehicles being brand new Nissan NP300 Double Cabs.
Saurombe, who was an agent in the business of importing vehicles, remitted the vehic1es to the applicant.
“However a few days after surrendering the vehicles to the applicant, members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in liaison with Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) visited my work premises doing an operation to confirm taxation for the vehicles and discovered that all the vehicles had not been cleared hence they impounded them and sent a tax bill amounting US$75 959, 52 plus fine,” said Siyawamwaya in his founding affidavit.
Siyawamwaya said, later on, Saurombe went to Zimra and cleared off the vehicles by himself without prior communication with him.
All the vehicles were released into his custody but he did not give them back to Siyawamwaya.
“Despite persistent demand that Saurombe refunds the total amount of US$71 000 he has failed, refused, and or neglected to settle the debt leaving the plaintiff with no option except to approach this court,” said Siyawamwaya.
The company, which sometimes deals with the government and has been in business for the past 16 years procuring motor vehicles and earth moving machines is demanding payment of US$71 000 or RTGS equivalent to the prevailing bank rate, interests plus costs.
The matter is yet to be heard.
