A car dealer who allegedly stole a top-of-the-range vehicle worth over US$90 000 in South Africa appeared in court yesterday after he smuggled and sold it in Zimbabwe.
Aleck Dzepatsva appeared before Harare regional magistrate, Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa, charged with the theft of a motor vehicle.
Dzepatsva who is represented by his lawyer Mr Malvern Mapako was granted US$600 bail, ordered to surrender his passport and to report once every week at Vehicle Theft Squad.
The matter was remanded to September 27 for routine remand.
The State said on April 25, 2024, Dzepatsva and his accomplice who is still at large stole a silver Ford Everest at Ellentree Carwash in Pretoria, South Africa.
Dzepatsva then smuggled the car into Zimbabwe and drove it to Harare.
The court heard that Dzepatsva tempered with the chassis number and removed the registration number plates.
He then sold it to Asante Brandon.
Branson took the motor vehicle to Chris Tatenda Kwaramba at Auto Expo Car Sale in Milton Park, Harare.
The vehicle was recovered on July 27 after it was tracked through a fitted device. — Herald
