Hezy Motors Director in Court Over Alleged US$696,000 Vehicle Import Fraud

By Southerton Business Times Reporter

BULAWAYO – Hezy Motors Logistics director Hezel Silibaziso Mafu has appeared before a Bulawayo court facing 14 counts of fraud after allegedly defrauding clients of US$696,652 and ZiG1,313,670.16 in a botched vehicle import scheme.

Mafu pleaded not guilty when she appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Lungile Ncube on Thursday. She was granted US$500 bail and ordered not to interfere with State witnesses. Mafu was also ordered to reside at the address she provided to the court and report to the Commercial Crimes Division in the Northern Region every Friday. The matter was postponed to September 7 for the commencement of trial. Mafu is represented by Editor Mavuto of Maphosa and Ndomene Legal Practitioners.

State outlines alleged vehicle import scheme

Prosecutor Siphiwe Mhlanga told the court that Hezy Motors Logistics, based at the corner of Fife Street and 11th Avenue in Bulawayo, allegedly misrepresented to 14 clients that it could procure, import and deliver vehicles from Japan.

According to the State, clients were required to pay a 50 percent deposit, with the balance payable upon delivery of the vehicle. The prosecution alleges that the company failed to deliver the vehicles after receiving payments from the complainants.

In one of the cases, the court heard that the first complainant paid US$3,940 to Hezy Motors Logistics for the purchase of a vehicle. The State alleges that the vehicle was never purchased and that the complainant later reported the matter to the police after attempts to contact Mafu proved unsuccessful.

In another alleged incident in May 2026, a complainant seeking to purchase a Toyota Vitz valued at US$6,500 reportedly paid US$4,634 and ZiG37,791.81 towards the transaction.

The State alleges that the vehicle was never purchased and that Mafu subsequently became unreachable.

In a separate case, another complainant allegedly paid US$3,000 as a first instalment towards a US$9,000 vehicle before making a further payment of US$3,450.

According to the prosecution, attempts to contact the accused later proved unsuccessful.

Toyota Aqua buyer allegedly loses US$3,800

The court also heard that a woman seeking to purchase a Toyota Aqua allegedly paid US$3,800 after being informed that Hezy Motors Logistics imported vehicles from Japan. She was reportedly told to return after two weeks, but when she went back to the company's premises, she allegedly failed to locate the accused. The matter was subsequently reported to the Commercial Crimes Division in Bulawayo Southern Region, leading to an investigation and Mafu's arrest.

Separate fraud allegations in Harare

Meanwhile, Mafu is also facing 79 counts of fraud in Harare, where she is accused of allegedly duping several people seeking to purchase imported vehicles. High Court judge Justice Custom Kachambwa previously granted her US$500 bail, subject to conditions that include reporting every Friday to the Commercial Crimes Division in Harare's Northern Region.

The State alleges that she defrauded scores of clients of more than US$624,000 and ZiG1,275,878.35 through an alleged bogus vehicle import scheme. Her Harare trial is scheduled to begin on September 2. Mafu is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

Hezy Motors vehicle import fraud