12-Year Jail Term for Serial Car Thief

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for stealing multiple vehicles, with two years suspended, after being found guilty of three counts of motor vehicle theft.

Luckson Paribe appeared before Magistrate Learnmore Mapiye facing three counts of motor vehicle theft. He was sentenced to four years in prison for each count. With two years suspended, he will effectively serve 10 years.

The first complainant was Tafadzwa Victor Muchedzi.

The State, represented by prosecutor Zvikomborero Mupasa, proved that on September 13, 2024, one Bongani Ngwenya took his grey Honda Fit (registration number AFZ4654) to the complainant's workplace to be hired out on his behalf.

On October 22, 2024, the complainant received an inquiry via Facebook from the accused, who was looking to hire a fuel-efficient vehicle. Communication continued through WhatsApp, where the complainant informed the accused of the required documents: a driver’s license, ID or passport copy, a refundable deposit of US$100, and next-of-kin details.

Paribe agreed to the terms, and during a WhatsApp call, they arranged to deliver the vehicle to Chidewe Shops in Warren Park D, Harare.

Upon delivery, Paribe presented a fake national ID in the name of Christen Nketa and submitted supporting documents, including a copy of a certificate of competence, a next-of-kin ID copy (Chifamba Jeffery), an affidavit of residence from a purported landlord (Mirriam Svosve of House Number 1089-13 Warren Park 1, Harare), and Svosve’s certified ID copy.

Paribe paid US$190 for a four-day hire and an additional US$10 for delivery. The complainant recorded a video of the transaction.

On October 24, 2024, Paribe Ecocashed an additional US$100 for a two-day extension using Fair Exchange Financial Services. A confirmation message was received.

On October 29, 2024, the complainant followed up via SMS, to which Paribe replied “ok bro.” On October 30, Paribe paid another US$205 via Ecocash, with the transaction confirmed.

On October 31, Paribe, now using a different number, requested another vehicle but failed to make any payments. Despite multiple follow-ups by the complainant via WhatsApp and SMS, Paribe became evasive and unreachable.

On November 4, 2024, the complainant informed the vehicle owner, Ngwenya, who tracked the car to Damofalls. There, they discovered the car had been sold to one Norman Nzvere. They filed a police report at ZRP Ruwa, then ZRP Warren Park. The vehicle was impounded and handed over to CID VTS Harare.

On February 27, 2025, detectives from the Vehicle Theft Squad received a tip that Paribe was about to hire another vehicle at the NSSA Building in Harare. He was arrested at the location. A search revealed he was in possession of fake IDs and a counterfeit certificate of competence. Investigations confirmed his involvement in the crimes, with a total loss of US$8,000.

In another case, the complainant, a director of Prime Car Rental, testified that on November 5, 2024, around 12:45 PM, Paribe hired a silver Toyota Axio (registration AFVA689) using a fake ID in the name of Last Mukoma Washa. He vanished with the vehicle.

The complainant filed a police report at ZRP Mabelreign. On November 12, 2024, the vehicle was located in Dema with one Martin Chipango, who said he had bought it from Paribe. The car was recovered and taken to CID VTS Harare.

On February 27, around 12:30 PM, detectives again received information about Paribe’s whereabouts. He was spotted at NSSA Building on Julius Nyerere Way. Despite police firing three warning shots, he fled and was apprehended by members of the public. He was taken to CID VTS for further investigation. The total value of the stolen property was US$6,500—all recovered.

In the third case, complainant Jefferries Peresu testified that on November 13, 2024, Paribe, using the alias Prince Chari, hired his silver Honda Fit (registration AFG4483) for three days and paid US$105. On November 14, he requested and paid for an extension with US$145 via an Ecocash agent.

On November 16, Peresu inquired about the vehicle’s location and was told it was in Marondera. Using a vehicle tracker, he discovered it was in Murisa Village, Seke. There, he found the vehicle at the home of Charles Clean, who said he had bought it from “Elliot Mandere” (an alias used by Paribe) on November 14.

Peresu filed a police report at ZRP Ziko. A fake registration book, a counterfeit ID, and a fraudulent agreement of sale were recovered. The fake registration was later confirmed as counterfeit by the Central Vehicle Registry.

On February 27, 2025, following another tip-off, detectives arrested Paribe again. An informal identification parade on February 28 led to positive identification by both Peresu and Charles Clean.