A Harare Magistrate this Friday sentenced a 36-year-old Harare man operating under multiple names and fake identities, to ten years in jail after convicting him on three counts of motor vehicle theft.

The offender, who used fake names including Christen Nketa, Last Mukomawasha, Eliot Mandere, and Prince Chari, duped car rental operators by presenting fraudulent identity documents, fake driver’s licenses, and forged proof of residence.

Once in possession of the vehicles, he would quickly sell them to unsuspecting third parties, sometimes altering ownership documents to appear legitimate.

In all cases, the offender made initial rental payments, gained trust, and then vanished with the vehicles.

He will, however, serve an effective eight-year jail term.

The offenses were committed between October and November 2024 across multiple car rental companies in the capital.

It was established that on October 22 last year, the convict hired a grey Honda Fit using a fake ID, and after a few days, the vehicle was tracked and found to be in Damafalls, where it had been sold.

The buyer alerted the police, leading to the vehicle’s recovery by CID Vehicle Theft Squad in Harare.

On November 5, 2024, another car rental agency was duped into releasing a Toyota Axio.

The offender again used a forged ID and later sold the car in Dema.

It was recovered after police traced it to the buyer, who unknowingly purchased it from the offender.

On November 13,  2024, a third victim rented out a silver Honda Fit to the offender. The victim became suspicious when the offender claimed to be in Marondera. The vehicle owner used a tracker and located the car in Murisa Village, Seke, where it was recovered.

Acting on a tip-off, detectives from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad apprehended the suspect on February 27 this year at the NSSA Building in Harare.

He attempted to flee but was captured with the help of the public. A search uncovered additional counterfeit documents in his possession.