Laura Maposa
A MAN accused of handing a car, which he had been given to use as an InDrive taxi, to his wife as a present has defended himself saying he had hired the vehicle.
However, the owner of the car insists that she gave it to him to use as a taxi and his story is meant to try and cover the reality that he abused the facility.
Walter Tatenda Amon’s wife went on social media, posing with her ‘gift’, which alerted the owner of the vehicle.
The car is owned by Panashe Chikambure.
She saw some videos of her car being driven by Walter’s wife.
To make matters worse, Walter had failed to remit US$300, as per agreement, from the weekly installments.
The case has since been referred to Harare Civil Court.
Panashe insists she gave Walter the car to use as an InDrive taxi but appears to have turned it into one for his family’s use.
Walter argued that he had hired the car for his family use.
In an interview with H-Metro Panashe said:
“Walter came to me achida mota for InDrive and we agreed that he was going to pay me US$200 every week and because he is a pastor l trusted him and assumed he was an honest man.
“The first time I gave him the car it had to be serviced so l told him to take US$50 from the US$200 to fix the oil problem and give me the change.
“He later came to me saying that he used more than we agreed but I just brushed it off until I started seeing posts on TikTok of his wife driving the car for some personal errands.
“l was shocked and, from my knowledge, she doesn’t have a license.”
She added:
“He was now telling me stories about my money and he didn’t even want to return my car.
“I had to go to the police to report a stolen vehicle case because all I wanted was my car back.
“I had to track him down just to collect my car from him since I had put a tracker on it.
“After weeks, l finally found him and took my car back, however, it was in a bad shape and I had to change a lot of things.
“He still owes me US$300 that he has refused to pay me back, I resorted to Facebook where l exposed what he did to me after taking my car.
“He brought some bogus police officers to my house, who wanted to drag me out until l started recording them and they ran away.”Walter denied hiring the car to use as an InDrive taxi but for personal use.
“I met Eby on Facebook where l was looking for a car for hire, we agreed that I pay her US$750 per month.
“However, the payment plan was for me to pay US$200 per week.
“The first $200 she asked me to service the car which l did and l was to give her the balance.
“I specifically told her I’m hiring it for personal use, however, l told her I might use it for InDrive,” he said.
Walter said he then started having some financial challenges.
“I started having financial problems, my child fell sick and l failed to pay her as agreed.
“She started asking for her car back, l returned it and she then said l destroyed parts of her vehicle and she reported the case to the police.
“She even exposed my wife and child on Facebook as she was trying to name and shame me.
“I have also opened a case of defamation of character against her for exposing me and my family.”
Asked why his wife was driving the car and posting the images on social media, Walter said it was because they had hired the vehicle.
“l don’t see the problem with my wife driving the car since we were renting and paying the rent for the car.
“My wife has nothing to do with this issue. Why did she involve her like she is the one that made the deal with her?
“She was driving it because we had rented it.”