Man Faces Court Over Selling Rented Car in US$5k Scam

 

A 38-year-old man, Nyasha Nalithi, appeared at Harare Magistrates’ Court on fraud charges after allegedly selling a rented vehicle to an unsuspecting buyer, leaving the complainant out of pocket by over US$5 000.

Court papers reveal that on 10 September 2025, Nalithi and his accomplice, Mkokeli T. Tshabangu, hired a Toyota GD6 (registration number AGE 8773) from Friendly Fleet Car Rentals, paying US$450 for a three-day rental.

Just a day later, Nalithi allegedly misrepresented himself as the vehicle owner and sold it to John Ben of Chegutu for US$35 000. Ben deposited US$5 245 as part of the agreement and was told that the vehicle registration book was with money lenders.

A neutral party, Livingstone Musonza, was assigned temporary custody of the car. After the rental period ended, Friendly Fleet Car Rentals, represented by Norman Makumbirofa, recovered the vehicle from Musonza, raising suspicions.

Nalithi reportedly fled, prompting the matter to be reported to police. The complainant suffered a financial loss of US$5 245, which has not been recovered.