Zimbabwe Seizes 128 Stolen Luxury Vehicles
Smugglers Use Fake Papers to Flood Region with High-End Cars
Authorities have intercepted a significant cross-border criminal operation, impounding 128 high-value vehicles that were illegally smuggled into Zimbabwe using fraudulent documentation.
Luxury Cars Targeted
The impounded collection boasts coveted models including Toyota Land Cruisers, BMWs, Jeep Grand Cherokees, Mercedes-Benzes, Range Rovers, and Audi SUVs. Investigations revealed that sophisticated criminal syndicates tampered with engine and chassis numbers to create fake local registration papers for these stolen vehicles.
International Cooperation and Recoveries
Fifteen of the recovered vehicles have already been identified by their rightful owners and repatriated to neighboring countries. Authorities are actively collaborating with the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to facilitate the return of the remaining vehicles to their owners in affected nations.
Detective Inspector **Rachel Muteweri**, spokesperson for the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), confirmed the ongoing efforts.
“So far, we still have 128 top-of-the-range cars that were recovered in Zimbabwe and are believed to have been stolen from different neighbouring countries. Some were destined for Zimbabwe, while others were in transit to other neighbouring countries when they were recovered.”
—Detective Inspector **Rachel Muteweri**, CID Spokesperson
Zimbabwe as a Transit Hub
Zimbabwe is reportedly being used as a critical transit point for stolen vehicles. Criminal networks are believed to be smuggling cars from South Africa across the Limpopo River, with onward destinations including Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Some of the trafficked vehicles, however, are being sold within Zimbabwe’s domestic market.
Operation Take Back Yields Results
This crackdown follows INTERPOL’s “Operation Take Back” initiative launched in 2022, a global effort aimed at recovering stolen vehicles. Zimbabwe’s participation in the operation led to the impounding of an additional 200 luxury cars linked to regional theft rings.
The illicit trade in stolen vehicles is a significant concern, as vehicle crime often fuels broader organized criminal activities, including drug trafficking and arms smuggling. Globally, approximately 250,000 vehicles were reported stolen in 2020, highlighting the scale of this persistent issue.
Recent Arrests
In a recent development on July 25, authorities arrested **Marshall Munyuru**, a 38-year-old man from Mutare, in connection with vehicle theft. Police discovered three stolen vehicles in his possession: a Toyota Fortuner, a Ford Ranger, and a grey Mercedes-Benz. **Munyuru**, son of car dealer **Junior Makochera**, was also sought for a 2023 fraud case. Although his mother claimed ownership, she could not produce valid import documents. Investigations confirmed all three vehicles were stolen from South Africa between 2023 and 2024.
