Mazowe MP Loses US$85,000 Land Cruiser To Loan Shark In Botched Loan Deal

Mazowe Central legislator Dr Maxmore Njanji allegedly lost his US$85,000 Toyota Land Cruiser after using it to secure a US$20,000 loan, only for the vehicle to be sold even after he had settled the debt and interest, a Harare court has heard.

The case has brought loan shark Cleophas Chinonje Chiwaya before the courts, where he is facing a charge of theft of trust property.

Chiwaya appeared before magistrate Sheunesu Matova on Friday and was granted US$300 bail.

Also Read: High Court Warns Borrowers And Lenders Over Property Used To Secure Private Loans

How The Land Cruiser Ended Up With The Lender

According to The Herald, the alleged transaction dates back to January 2023, when Tawanda Dekwende reportedly learnt that Dr Njanji needed money to finance his election campaign.

According to the State, Dekwende and Anyway Wadzingaira subsequently devised a plan targeting the legislator’s vehicle.

Dekwende allegedly presented himself as someone who could help Dr Njanji obtain a US$20,000 loan and arranged a meeting with Chiwaya, described in court as an operator of an illegal, unregistered moneylending business.

The proposed arrangement required Dr Njanji to provide his Toyota Land Cruiser, valued at US$85,000, as security. He was also expected to pay US$10,000 in interest within one month.

The US$20,000 was advanced by Wadzingaira, while the vehicle was handed over to Chiwaya.

Vehicle Allegedly Disposed Of After Debt Was Settled

Problems reportedly arose when Dr Njanji sought to reclaim his vehicle after clearing the debt.

The State alleges that he repaid the US$20,000 principal amount together with the US$10,000 interest through Dekwende after the agreed one-month period.

Despite the settlement, the Land Cruiser was allegedly not returned.

Instead, Chiwaya is accused of having its ownership transferred to Donald Sabeta on February 26, 2026, before it was sold through 3 Tee Automotive Centre on April 10, 2026.