By Judith Nyuke
A local company, Burnett Motors, has been dragged to court for allegedly failing to deliver eight Toyota Hilux vehicles, valued at US$280,000, to the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) despite payment having been made two years prior.
Burnett Motors Dealership (Pvt) Limited, represented by Pride Mutenda and John Peter Marquis Burnett, 58, appeared before Harare Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa charged with fraud and money laundering.
Burnett was released on US$500 bail.
The State represented by Rufaro Chonzi alleges that sometime in September 2020, John Burnett acting in common purpose with his accomplice Liam Barry Burnett (who is still at large), hatched a plan of swindling unsuspecting customers who intended to buy motor vehicles and registered a company styled Burnett Motors Dealership Private Limited.
John Burnett was appointed Chief Executive Officer who was responsible for overseeing the overall management of the company.
On the 24th of March 2023, ZCDC entered into an agreement for the supply of eight Toyota Hilux single cab vehicles at a total cost of US$268 000-00, with Burnett Motors who was being represented by Liam Barry Burnett.
The Court heard that on 4 August 2023, ZCDC transferred US$100 000-00 from their AFC bank account into Burnett Motors’ supplied bank account as deposit.
On 5 January 2024, complainant reportedly made a final payment of US$168 000-00 which was transferred from their FBC bank account number into Burnett Motors supplied bank account.
Furthering the interests of Burnett Motors, John Burnett and Liam Barry Burnett, reportedly promised to effect delivery within four weeks of receipt of final payment, which never came to fruition.
Further allegations are that thereafter, accused persons became evasive, thereby moving company offices to an unknown business address prompting ZCDC to file a police report.
Investigations revealed that John Burnett allegedly moved bulk of the funds out of the bank through cash withdrawals and never paid for the vehicles.
As a result of accused’s actions, complainant suffered an actual prejudice of US$268 000-00 and nothing was recovered.
On the second count, money laundering, the State contends that between August 4, 2023, and January 5, 2024, the accused fraudulently obtained US$268,000.00 from the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company for undelivered vehicles, subsequently concealing the funds to obscure their criminal origin and prevent potential recovery.
