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3 women convicted over sale of counterfeit motor parts
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Three women from Mutare have been convicted for selling counterfeit automotive filters bearing the GUD trademark following a police sting operation targeting the illegal trade in fake motor spares.
The three appeared before Magistrate Honest Musiiwa after detectives, working with a loss control officer from GUD, carried out coordinated raids on April 21, 2026, at motor spares shops across the city. The complainant in the matter, represented by loss control officer Emick Mupfumbira, is GUD (Pty) Ltd
.
Prosecutor Sandra Mlambo told the court that police targeted three separate outlets suspected of distributing counterfeit oil and diesel filters, which are believed to pose serious risks to vehicle engines and consumer safety.
The court heard that detectives seized a total of 572 counterfeit filters during the operation, which were subsequently retained as exhibits.
The accused were identified as Tracy Zvakavapano, 32, of Super Master Motor Spares, where 392 counterfeit filters were recovered; Primerose Binungu, 28, of Trust Motor Spares, where 99 counterfeit filters were found; and Nyasha Chaapano, 32, of R. Motor Spares, where 81 counterfeit filters were confiscated.
During the proceedings, the court noted that all three accused were first-time offenders. However, Magistrate Musiiwa emphasised that despite their clean records, the offence was serious as it involved the distribution of counterfeit goods that could potentially harm consumers and compromise vehicle performance.
The magistrate sentenced each of the women to six months in prison, but suspended one month of the sentence on condition of good behaviour for five years, provided they do not commit a similar offence involving dishonesty or counterfeit trade. The remaining five months were suspended on condition that each offender completes 175 hours of community service.
The ruling was described as part of ongoing efforts by the judiciary to clamp down on counterfeit trade in motor vehicle parts and to protect both consumers and intellectual property rights in Zimbabwe.
The three appeared before Magistrate Honest Musiiwa after detectives, working with a loss control officer from GUD, carried out coordinated raids on April 21, 2026, at motor spares shops across the city. The complainant in the matter, represented by loss control officer Emick Mupfumbira, is GUD (Pty) Ltd
.
Prosecutor Sandra Mlambo told the court that police targeted three separate outlets suspected of distributing counterfeit oil and diesel filters, which are believed to pose serious risks to vehicle engines and consumer safety.
The court heard that detectives seized a total of 572 counterfeit filters during the operation, which were subsequently retained as exhibits.
During the proceedings, the court noted that all three accused were first-time offenders. However, Magistrate Musiiwa emphasised that despite their clean records, the offence was serious as it involved the distribution of counterfeit goods that could potentially harm consumers and compromise vehicle performance.
The magistrate sentenced each of the women to six months in prison, but suspended one month of the sentence on condition of good behaviour for five years, provided they do not commit a similar offence involving dishonesty or counterfeit trade. The remaining five months were suspended on condition that each offender completes 175 hours of community service.
The ruling was described as part of ongoing efforts by the judiciary to clamp down on counterfeit trade in motor vehicle parts and to protect both consumers and intellectual property rights in Zimbabwe.
Source - Midweek Watch
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