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Man in court over rental Fortuner theft scam
5 hrs ago |
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A 53-year-old Harare man has appeared in court facing allegations of stealing three Toyota Fortuner sport utility vehicles from separate car hire companies before fraudulently selling them using forged registration documents.
Blessing Mangwiro appeared before Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei charged with three counts of motor vehicle theft.
The magistrate advised him to approach the High Court for bail.
According to the State, Mangwiro allegedly rented the vehicles from three different car hire companies before using fake vehicle registration books, forged identity documents and fraudulent sale agreements to sell them to unsuspecting buyers.
Prosecutors allege that on June 3, 2026, Mangwiro visited Zenith Car Rentals in Eastlea, Harare, claiming he had recently returned from the United Kingdom and needed a vehicle to transport visiting guests.
After paying US$850 for a five-day rental, he was given a white Toyota Fortuner, registration number AGS 9566.
The State alleges that on June 22, Mangwiro used a fake registration book and a forged sale agreement to sell the vehicle to Thulani Simunyu for US$23 500.
The vehicle, valued at US$35 000, was later recovered.
In the second count, prosecutors allege that on June 11, at around 4:40 pm, Mangwiro hired another white Toyota Fortuner, registration number AAH 6933, from Drive It Car Hire along Arcturus Road in Harare.
He allegedly produced a fake national identity card and forged vehicle registration documents before selling the vehicle to Leon Hungwe of Bulawayo for US$32 000.
The Fortuner, valued at US$40 000, was recovered on June 25 by detectives from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad near the corner of Justice Idi Banda Street and Robert Mugabe Way in Bulawayo.
On the third count, the State alleges that on June 17, Mangwiro hired a silver Toyota Fortuner, registration number AGQ 1473, from Shayne and Dad Car Hire in Greencroft, Harare.
He is accused of using forged identity documents and a fake registration book to sell the vehicle to Raymond Chigwanda for US$25 000.
That vehicle, also valued at US$40 000, was recovered.
The court further heard that Mangwiro was eventually arrested while allegedly attempting to sell another hired Toyota Fortuner.
The matter was remanded to allow for further investigations.
Blessing Mangwiro appeared before Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei charged with three counts of motor vehicle theft.
The magistrate advised him to approach the High Court for bail.
According to the State, Mangwiro allegedly rented the vehicles from three different car hire companies before using fake vehicle registration books, forged identity documents and fraudulent sale agreements to sell them to unsuspecting buyers.
Prosecutors allege that on June 3, 2026, Mangwiro visited Zenith Car Rentals in Eastlea, Harare, claiming he had recently returned from the United Kingdom and needed a vehicle to transport visiting guests.
After paying US$850 for a five-day rental, he was given a white Toyota Fortuner, registration number AGS 9566.
The State alleges that on June 22, Mangwiro used a fake registration book and a forged sale agreement to sell the vehicle to Thulani Simunyu for US$23 500.
The vehicle, valued at US$35 000, was later recovered.
In the second count, prosecutors allege that on June 11, at around 4:40 pm, Mangwiro hired another white Toyota Fortuner, registration number AAH 6933, from Drive It Car Hire along Arcturus Road in Harare.
He allegedly produced a fake national identity card and forged vehicle registration documents before selling the vehicle to Leon Hungwe of Bulawayo for US$32 000.
The Fortuner, valued at US$40 000, was recovered on June 25 by detectives from the CID Vehicle Theft Squad near the corner of Justice Idi Banda Street and Robert Mugabe Way in Bulawayo.
On the third count, the State alleges that on June 17, Mangwiro hired a silver Toyota Fortuner, registration number AGQ 1473, from Shayne and Dad Car Hire in Greencroft, Harare.
He is accused of using forged identity documents and a fake registration book to sell the vehicle to Raymond Chigwanda for US$25 000.
That vehicle, also valued at US$40 000, was recovered.
The court further heard that Mangwiro was eventually arrested while allegedly attempting to sell another hired Toyota Fortuner.
The matter was remanded to allow for further investigations.
Source - The Herald
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