Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
A 40-year-old Harare man who was in the habit of hiring vehicles from car rental companies before selling them after forging documents has been arrested.
The suspect has been identified as Clayton Kativhu (40) of Kambuzuma. Criminal Investigations Department (CID) spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, said the suspect, acting in connivance with his accomplice, Innocent Chikaikai, also known as Sento and still at large, targeted car rental companies by posing as a genuine customer and using forged identity documents to hire motor vehicles.
Kativhu would then hand over the cars to his accomplice for resale.
“On September 17, 2026, Kativhu hired a black Toyota Vitz after producing a forged national identity card bearing his photograph and a driver’s licence in the name of Bryan Kurai Mudeza as surety.
“He failed to return the vehicle on the agreed date, prompting the complainant to make a police report. Investigations were instituted and established that the vehicle had been sold to an unsuspecting buyer together with a forged registration book,” said Insp Muteweri.
She said on September 23, 2026, Kativhu hired a Honda Vezel, purportedly for four days, again using forged identification documents.
When the vehicle was tracked after the rental period, investigations established that it had been sold to a car dealer.
On September 26, 2026, Kativhu continued with the same modus operandi and hired a Mazda CX-8, which he then subsequently offered for sale to a prospective buyer, who insisted on having it cleared by CID Vehicle Theft Squad, Harare.
During the clearance process, Kativhu produced a fraudulent identity card, and alert detectives became suspicious, leading to his arrest.
He has since appeared in court and was remanded in custody.
Meanwhile, detectives from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad in Harare arrested Tinotenda Mafureki (20), Nesbert Nyakudya (18) and Evans Proud Mutasa (18) in connection with the theft of an Isuzu KB300 in Waterfalls, Harare, on October 11, 2026.
The suspects allegedly broke the lock at a garage gate at the complainant’s business premises and stole the vehicle.
Investigations led to its recovery in Highfields, resulting in the arrest of the three suspects, who have since appeared in court, and the motor vehicles were recovered.
Insp Muteweri urged members of the public to conduct proper police clearance and verification of motor vehicles before purchasing them.
She also appealed for information that may lead to the arrest of Innocent Chikaikai, also known as Sento.
Anyone with information should approach the nearest police station or contact Police General Headquarters on 0242-703631.
