Man loses car in alleged scam after accident

A 37-year-old Waterfalls man, Simbarashe Mawodze, lost his vehicle in an apparent scam following a minor road accident on Sunday.

According to police, Mawodze accidentally reversed into a silver Toyota Fortuner occupied by two men. After the collision, the parties agreed that he would cover the repair costs for the damaged vehicle.

The group proceeded to Patel Shopping Centre in Harare, where Mawodze intended to collect US$50 for the repairs. Upon arrival, the two men reportedly demanded that he hand over his car keys as a guarantee that he would return with the money.

Mawodze complied and briefly left to retrieve the cash. However, when he returned just minutes later, both the men and his vehicle had disappeared.

In addition to the car, the suspects allegedly made off with his driver's licence, passport, and two mobile phones—a Samsung A23 and a Samsung Note 10 Plus. The total value of the stolen items is estimated at US$6,000.

Luckmore Chakanza, Harare provincial police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and said investigations are currently underway.

Police have warned motorists to exercise caution when dealing with unknown individuals after road accidents, particularly when asked to hand over personal belongings or vehicle keys.