Bogus cops steal US$14,000 car from dealer

A Harare car dealer was duped and robbed of his vehicle by three men posing as police officers in a daring daylight incident on Tuesday.

According to police, the victim, Nick Mzimba (29) of Sutherlands Heights along Baines Avenue in the Avenues area, lost his Honda Vezel worth US$14,000 to the bogus officers.

Mzimba, who operates a car sale business in Braeside, had driven to Arlington to collect a plumber before proceeding to Halsteads Hardware in Workington to buy building materials.

Along the way, he was intercepted by one of the suspects who accused him of buying and selling vehicles without paying import duty to ZIMRA. The men demanded to verify whether his cars were properly registered.

Mzimba reportedly informed them that one of his vehicles - the Honda Vezel - was registered in his name and parked at his Braeside car sale. The suspects then ordered him to lead them there for verification.

According to Harare provincial deputy police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Faith Mapisa, the suspects pretended to escort Mzimba to various offices under the pretext of conducting investigations.

"Police are investigating a theft of a motor vehicle," said Ass-Insp Mapisa.
"The accused persons led the complainant to several offices accusing him of selling vehicles without proper documents. Two of the accused persons got into his Honda Vezel while he got into the accused's car."

When they reached F&G Service Station along Cresta Road, the suspects removed the handcuffs they had placed on Mzimba, handed him the keys to a Toyota Auris, and sped off with his Honda Vezel.

"The total value of the stolen vehicle is US$14,000 and nothing was recovered," said Mapisa.

Police have since launched a manhunt for the fake officers, warning members of the public to be cautious when approached by individuals claiming to be law enforcement agents without proper identification.