Highway Hustler! Bulawayo car dealer gets 5 years for swindling clients
A slick-talking Bulawayo car dealer who sped off with clients’ trust—and cash—has been jailed for 60 months after duping two vehicle owners out of more than US$11,000.
Patson Khumalo (29) of Pumula South suburb is now parked behind bars after being convicted on two counts of theft of trust property. Bulawayo magistrate Mrs. Eva Matura sentenced him to 97 months in prison, with part of the sentence suspended on the condition he stays clean for the next five years.
Khumalo’s shady dealings were laid bare in court, with prosecutor Mr. Samuel Mpofu revealing how he sold two vehicles on behalf of clients—but kept the money for himself.
On 26 April 2024, Khumalo was given a Ford Ranger by Mr. Alec Chayukebawa to sell for US$5,400. He sold it—but never handed over the cash.
In a similar stunt, he took a Toyota Allion valued at US$6,400 from Mr. Thadeous Ndlovu, also under the promise of selling it. He sold the car, but once again, the client never saw a cent.
To make matters worse, in one incident, Khumalo reportedly zoomed off with a client’s vehicle during a test drive, never to return.
“This was a serious breach of trust that taints the reputation of car dealers in Bulawayo,” said Magistrate Matura. “Trust is the foundation of any transaction. When that trust is broken, the consequences can be severe.”
Khumalo will now have plenty of time to reflect—from the inside of a jail cell. Herald
