Harare Man in Court Over Alleged Fake Taxi Robbery Syndicate Targeting Women

By Southerton Business Times Reporter | Harare

A 27-year-old Harare man has appeared in court accused of operating a fake taxi scheme that allegedly targeted female passengers before robbing them of cash, mobile phones and other valuables across the capital. Joshua Ruchiki appeared before Ruth Moyo facing six counts of robbery. He was remanded in custody while police continue investigating the alleged offences.

Prosecutors allege Ruchiki worked with accomplices to lure unsuspecting women into a pink Nissan Note, registration number AHG 1836, before robbing them and abandoning them in different parts of Harare.

According to court papers, the alleged robbery spree occurred between April and May 2026 in several suburbs across Harare. Investigations led to Ruchiki's arrest and the recovery of the Nissan Note allegedly used in the commission of the offences. Police also recovered several handbags and 10 wallets, some of which were positively identified by complainants as stolen property. The State alleges that goods worth approximately US$12,000 were stolen during the robbery spree, while property valued at about US$3,000 has so far been recovered.

The State alleges that Ruchiki acted in concert with Kimberly Kumbeze, Tanyaradzwa Nyashinga and another suspect, Given Manhovo, who is still being sought by police. According to the prosecution, one of the alleged incidents occurred on 14 April, when a woman boarded the vehicle at the corner of Churchill Avenue and Hudson Road in Alexandra Park. She was allegedly robbed of a mobile phone and a handbag containing US$75 before being abandoned.

In another incident on 28 April, a passenger who entered the same vehicle along Second Street Extension in Harare's central business district was allegedly robbed of her cellphone and handbag. The State further alleges that on 2 May, another complainant boarded the vehicle along Quendon Road in Marlborough and was robbed of two mobile phones.

The alleged robbery spree continued on 7 May, when another passenger was reportedly picked up along King George Road in Avondale before allegedly losing a Samsung Galaxy A15 smartphone. Two further incidents were allegedly recorded on 20 May in Avondale and along Harare Drive near KK Tiles. According to prosecutors, one complainant lost an iPhone XR, while another was allegedly robbed of two mobile phones, US$330 in cash and other personal belongings.

Police are continuing investigations to establish whether the accused and his alleged accomplices may be linked to additional robbery cases involving unsuspecting commuters. Authorities have urged members of the public to exercise caution when boarding private vehicles posing as taxis and to use registered public transport operators where possible. Ruchiki remains in custody pending further court proceedings. Under Zimbabwean law, every accused person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of law.

Harare fake taxi robbery