Mai Dhuterere up for US$16 000 fraud

Thirty-six-year-old musician Dorcas Vambe, wife to Mambo Dhuterere, has appeared in court on allegation of duping a local politician of US$16 000 in a botched car deal.

Vambe, who was arraigned before a Harare Magistrate this Thursday answering to fraud charges, allegedly connived with her brother to defraud the complainant after misrepresenting that they were able to purchase a car for him in Botswana.

It is alleged that in September this year, the accused person got information that the complainant was looking for a Toyota Hilux GD6 to purchase and had a budget of US$16 000.

The court heard that Dorcas, acting in connivance with her brother Kudakwashe Vambe, who is still at large, hatched a plan to steal the budgeted money from the complainant.

The State alleges that the duo told the complainant that they had a car sale in Botswana which had such vehicles and would be able to import two instead of one car, duty free, alleging Mai Dhuterere had a waiver granted to her by President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a token of appreciation for her music.

The complainant got interested with the deal and surrendered the money which he handed over to Vambe and she acknowledged eceipt in the form of a commissioned affidavit, with the contents of acknowledging the receipt of money and commitment that she was going to deliver two Toyota Hilux GD6 vehicles in two weeks.

She allegedly failed to fulfil her obligation as per their agreement, leading to her arrest.

She was released on US$100 bail and is expected back in court on the 15th of January next year.