News / National
Man jailed for stealing girlfriend's car to secure loans
17 May 2025 at 14:38hrs | Views
A 23-year-old man, Abel Chitsvare, will spend the next two years behind bars after he was convicted of stealing and using his girlfriend's car as collateral to secure loans without her consent.
Chitsvare appeared before the Zvishavane Magistrates Court facing a charge of theft of a motor vehicle. He was sentenced to 36 months' imprisonment, with 12 months suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him to serve an effective 24 months.
According to the State, the incident occurred on January 20, 2024, when Chitsvare's 33-year-old girlfriend entrusted him with her grey Honda Fit, valued at US$7,500, to collect money in Zvishavane's Central Business District.
However, Chitsvare instead drove to Masvingo, where he approached a car sale business and borrowed US$1,000, offering the vehicle as collateral. He returned the following day to secure an additional US$1,000 loan using the same car, and on January 22, borrowed a further US$1,700 from the same business.
After failing to return the vehicle or provide a satisfactory explanation to his girlfriend, the matter was reported to the police. Investigations led to the recovery of the car, which had been pledged as security.
The court heard that Chitsvare acted without the complainant's knowledge or consent, leading to his conviction. The sentence serves as a warning against abusing trust and misusing other people's property for personal financial gain.
Chitsvare appeared before the Zvishavane Magistrates Court facing a charge of theft of a motor vehicle. He was sentenced to 36 months' imprisonment, with 12 months suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him to serve an effective 24 months.
According to the State, the incident occurred on January 20, 2024, when Chitsvare's 33-year-old girlfriend entrusted him with her grey Honda Fit, valued at US$7,500, to collect money in Zvishavane's Central Business District.
However, Chitsvare instead drove to Masvingo, where he approached a car sale business and borrowed US$1,000, offering the vehicle as collateral. He returned the following day to secure an additional US$1,000 loan using the same car, and on January 22, borrowed a further US$1,700 from the same business.
After failing to return the vehicle or provide a satisfactory explanation to his girlfriend, the matter was reported to the police. Investigations led to the recovery of the car, which had been pledged as security.
The court heard that Chitsvare acted without the complainant's knowledge or consent, leading to his conviction. The sentence serves as a warning against abusing trust and misusing other people's property for personal financial gain.
Source - NewZimbabwe
