Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
POLICE have uncovered an alleged vehicle-hire scam in which 16 vehicles worth a combined US$161 500 were fraudulently disposed of, triggering a manhunt for a Bulawayo suspect believed to be the mastermind behind the operation.
The suspect, Keith Nyasha Sibanda of Mahatshula North, allegedly targeted private vehicle owners and car hire companies between June 2025 and July this year, exploiting the trust placed in him to gain possession of vehicles before allegedly selling them or using them as collateral for loans.
According to police, 13 of the 16 vehicles have so far been recovered, while investigations continue to trace the remaining three.
Sibanda remains at large.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Criminal Investigations Department (CID) national spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri said Sibanda allegedly used deception to gain the confidence of vehicle owners before taking possession of their vehicles.
She said the suspect would initially hire vehicles for short periods before allegedly extending the rental agreements and later disposing of the vehicles.
“After gaining the confidence of the owners, he would then extend the agreed hire periods before eventually disposing of the vehicles by selling them or using them as collateral to secure loans from different individuals. The complainants lost a total of 16 motor vehicles valued at US$161 500. To date, 13 motor vehicles have been recovered,” said Det Insp Muteweri.
The case has also raised questions over how vehicles allegedly acquired through deception could later be sold and, in some instances, have their ownership particulars altered.
A Bulawayo-based car hire company, which said it was among those targeted, claimed that five of its vehicles were hired by Sibanda before being disposed of.
“This man hired five of our cars and sold them,” said a company representative.
The company has since offered a reward for information leading to Sibanda’s arrest.
Some of the alleged victims said they were shocked to discover that vehicles they had hired out had allegedly changed hands, with some purchasers reportedly managing to register the vehicles in their names.
One victim, who requested anonymity, questioned how Sibanda could allegedly sell vehicles that did not belong to him.
“How does one manage to sell a vehicle that does not belong to him? Some of the buyers are said to have produced supporting affidavits indicating that the vehicle would be theirs, raising suspicions that this could be a syndicate involving other offices,” said the victim.
Another alleged victim said she was traumatised by the loss of her vehicle and was particularly concerned about how its registration particulars were allegedly changed.
“Changing vehicle particulars involves some security checks to ensure that everything is above board and to prevent such criminality, which we have become victims of,” she said.
The alleged scam has highlighted the risks faced by vehicle owners and car hire operators when handing over vehicles to clients, particularly in cases where vehicles are rented out on the basis of trust and are not returned within agreed timeframes.
Police said investigations were continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged disposal of the vehicles, including whether other individuals may have been involved in selling the cars, accepting them as collateral or facilitating changes to ownership particulars.
Det Insp Muteweri urged members of the public to assist police in locating Sibanda and cautioned prospective vehicle buyers against purchasing vehicles without first conducting thorough ownership checks.
“Anyone with information regarding Sibanda’s whereabouts should report to any nearest police station. As police, we also warn members of the public against purchasing vehicles or accepting them as collateral without carrying out thorough checks to establish ownership and ensure that all documentation and transfer procedures are legitimate,” she said.
The recovery of 13 vehicles is expected to assist investigators in tracing the alleged transactions and establishing how the vehicles moved from their original owners to subsequent holders.
