By Sithandweyinkosi Mpofu

A Kwekwe businessman Vengai Bhidhi dragged his brother Accelem Simbaremba Bhidhi (64)to court after he sold a car he had been entrusted to use.

This came out in a court case last week when Simbaremba appeared before the Kwekwe Magistrates Mildred Mutuvi facing theft of trust property for selling his brother’s car without his approval.

Simbaremba was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment. Six months were suspended for 5 years on condition that he does not commit an offense involving dishonesty. 30 months were suspended on condition that he restitutes the complaint USD$10 000 on or before 15 February 2024.

The State heard that Simbaremba of Mbizo 11, Kwekwe, borrowed a car, a Jeep Grand Cherokee registration number ACU4704 from his young brother Vengai in 2013. He borrowed the car in March 2013. In 2016, it is said he was given the car’s registration books by Vengai.

It is said that there was no written agreement between the two brothers on how to use the car but it was a verbal agreement where Simbaremba was to return the car to Vengai. Upon getting the car’s registration book intending to pay for the vehicle’s license, Simbaremba it is said went on to sell his young brother’s car and exchanged it with a Nissan v16.

Vengai then started to ask for his car back from his brother and the car was no longer there. He is alleged to have sold the car without his brother’s knowledge and permission.

Simbaremba in his defense alleged that he was given the car forever by his brother, but Vengai denied it.

“I had only borrowed him my car so that he could use it and whenever I needed it I would get my car back,” said Vengai.

When Vengai started demanding his car back in 2023 he was offered the Nissan v16 but he refused and said he wanted the jeep that originally belonged to him.

Vengai later reported the matter to the police in June 2023 which led to Simbaremba’s arrest.