A 39-year-old Seke man has appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court facing three counts of theft of motor vehicles after allegedly hiring cars from separate rental companies before fraudulently selling them using fake documents.

Innocent Mavhuto Chikayikayi, of Seke, Chitungwiza, is accused of targeting car rental operators and disposing of the vehicles to unsuspecting buyers. 

Prosecutors allege that the accused executed a similar scheme on three occasions between March and April this year, with all vehicles later recovered through tracking systems in Karoi, Harare, and Gweru.

First vehicle recovered in Karoi

The court heard that on March 24, 2026, Chikayikayi approached complainant Luke Ngirandi seeking to hire a Honda Fit, registration number AGW 8417.

The pair met at Park Town Shopping Centre where the accused paid US$200 rental fees for five days and US$180 as a security deposit before taking possession of the vehicle.

Chikayikayi allegedly failed to return the car after the agreed period and became unreachable after switching off his phone.

Using a tracking system, Ngirandi located the vehicle in Karoi, where it was found in the possession of Tinashe Zingunde, who claimed to have purchased it and produced a fake registration book.

Police impounded the vehicle at CID Karoi. The car, valued at US$9 000, was fully recovered.

Second vehicle traced to Machipisa

The State alleges that on March 30, 2026, Chikayikayi acted in connivance with three accomplices, dentified only as Bobby, Kudzanai alias Prince, and Munyaradzi, who remain at large.

The group reportedly contacted Palm Car Rental and agreed to hire a vehicle at US$45 per day for four days plus a US$200 security fee.

After receiving the vehicle, the accused allegedly became evasive and switched off his cellphone.

The complainant later tracked the vehicle to Machipisa, where it was recovered while in the possession of Admire Chacha, who told investigators he had bought it from a suspect using the name Daniel Motion during the rental agreement.

The vehicle, valued at US$8 500, was taken to CID Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS) Harare and fully recovered.

Facebook ad exposes third case

In a third incident, prosecutors allege that on April 2, 2026, Chikayikayi and his accomplices planned another theft targeting Jereta Car Rental.

The accused allegedly requested a Nissan Note over the phone and arranged to meet the complainant at Parktown, where he produced a national identity card and driver’s licence bearing the name Motion Daniel but carrying his photograph.

He signed rental documents and paid US$300, including a US$100 security deposit, before driving away with the vehicle.

After failing to return the car, the complainant reportedly discovered it being advertised for sale on Facebook, prompting a police report.

Investigations led to the recovery of the vehicle in Gweru, where it had been sold. The complainant later positively identified the car at CID VTS Harare using its registration plate and chassis number.

The vehicle, valued at US$9 000, was also recovered.

Police investigations are continuing as authorities pursue the accused’s alleged accomplices. The total value of the three vehicles involved is US$26 500, all of which has been recovered.