Test drive gone wrong as intended buyer disappears with car
By Auther Chimbgwa
What was intended to be a routine test drive on a car that had been put out on sale turned into a nightmare for a Harare seller after a man who had earlier presented as a genuine buyer suddenly disappeared with the vehicle.
The incident, according to police spokesperson for Harare Province Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, happened in Warren Park 1 in Harare on 7 May 2026.
The suspect has since been identified as Tawanda Magodora (32) who lives in Kwekwe.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) would like to confirm a case of theft of motor vehicle in which Magodora allegedly enticed the victim, Kushleigh Mamvura (34), into inspecting his car, which was on sale, and in the process got inside the car for a test drive and never returned,” said Inspector Chakanza in a statement.
“Magodora initially met Mamvura at his work place on 3 May 2026 at Warren Park turn-off where he sells flowers, and the two had a short conversation during which Magodora told Mamvura that he was looking for a car to buy.”
Mamvura, according to Chakanza, told him that he had a silver Nissan March Hatch Back registration number AFP 3477, engine number HR12480129A and Chassis number K13703756 which he was selling.
On 7 May 2026 around 9am, Magodora visited Mamvura’s work place on the pretext that he wanted to buy the car.
The two went to Mamvura’s home in Warren Park 1 where the car had been parked.
Magodora started by inspecting the car before requesting to give it a test drive but went for good.
Nanvura later filed a report of car theft at Warren Park police station.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS) was accordingly advised.
The car is worth US$4 000.
