Zim GBC News | Crimes and Courts
A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) officer has appeared in court accused of masterminding a sophisticated smuggling scheme that allegedly cost the tax authority more than US$1 million in lost revenue.
Tinotenda Mawoyo (34), who was employed as a Revenue Officer and stationed at Plumtree Border Post at the time of the alleged offences, is accused of facilitating the fraudulent importation of goods in collaboration with clearing agents and other ZIMRA officials.
Mawoyo was granted US$200 bail when he appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa.
How the Scheme Unfolded
Prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that on January 24, 2024, Mawoyo allegedly worked with Innocent Moyo—who is already on remand at Plumtree Magistrates’ Court—to fraudulently generate Baobab Consultancy’s tax clearance certificate in ZIMRA’s Tax and Revenue Management System (TARMS).
Innocent Moyo was employed by CIM Consultancy, a firm responsible for handling the tax affairs of Baobab Consultancy, a company owned by Phillip Mafurebwe.
The court heard that although Baobab Consultancy was not registered for the importation of goods, in February 2024, Moyo allegedly issued the company’s tax clearance certificate to Nyasha Moyo, an employee of Blenny Freight Services (Pvt) Ltd, a clearing agency.
Nyasha Moyo, working with Blessing Kodzawako—a director of Blenny Freight Services—allegedly applied to ZIMRA for the registration of Baobab Consultancy as an importer. The application was approved, paving the way for the company to bring goods into the country without proper oversight.
Alleged Losses
The fraudulent scheme reportedly resulted in revenue losses exceeding US$1 million, as goods were imported without appropriate duties and taxes being paid to the State. Investigators are still working to establish the full extent of the smuggling operation and the number of fraudulent transactions processed through the system.
ZIMRA has in recent years intensified efforts to root out corruption within its ranks, with several officers arrested and prosecuted for colluding with clearing agents to defraud the tax authority.
The Plumtree Border Post, a key entry point for goods from Botswana and South Africa, has been identified as a hotspot for smuggling activities.
Mawoyo’s arrest is seen as part of a broader crackdown on corruption within the revenue collection agency.
He is expected back in court pending further investigations.
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