Crimes and Courts
BEITBRIDGE – Evans Nzara (28), a suspected bogus clearing agent accused of swindling a civil servant of US$15,700 in a fraudulent Toyota Hilux import deal, has again delayed his day in court. His trial, initially set for this week, was postponed to August 7 after his defense team requested more time to review evidence.
Nzara, of Beitbridge’s Khwalu 1 suburb, allegedly lured government employee Hamufare Mugauri with promises of a 2014 Toyota Hilux imported from South Africa at a “bargain” price of US$10,700. Court documents reveal that Mugauri paid US$10,200 via a CABS company account and an additional US$700 via EcoCash. Instead of importing the agreed-upon vehicle, Nzara exploited Zimbabwe’s Temporary Import Permit (TIP) system to sneak a 2010 model Hilux into the country — a decade older than promised and lacking proper documentation .
The Sting
Prosecutor Olivia Chimutinya detailed how Nzara later demanded an extra US$4,800, claiming it was needed for registration and import duties. Mugauri paid, only to receive a forged customs receipt. The vehicle was soon impounded by Harare police for missing license plates. Further checks exposed the scam: no import duties were paid, the registration certificate was fake, and the TIP was invalid .
“Nzara became evasive and vanished to South Africa after the fraud was uncovered,” Chimutinya stated. “Detectives set up a sting operation to arrest him in January 2025, ending his eight-month run. The US$15,700 remains missing.”
Systemic Problem
Nzara’s case highlights a dangerous trend along the Beitbridge corridor. Corrupt agents exploit Zimbabwe’s reliance on imported used cars and complex customs processes, offering “cheap deals” only to deliver worthless paperwork, incorrect vehicles, or vanish entirely. Similar scams have cost the state millions in lost revenue and left countless buyers stranded .
Authorities’ Warning:
“Avoid agents demanding full cash payments upfront or promising prices far below market rates. Verify all customs paperwork directly with ZIMRA and insist on transparent banking channels.”
Broader Crackdown
This arrest coincides with intensified efforts by ZIMRA and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to dismantle smuggling syndicates. Recent operations at Forbes, Victoria Falls, and Beitbridge borders have exposed collusion between agents and officials, resulting in seizures of hundreds of improperly cleared vehicles and multiple arrests .
Nzara remains in custody pending his August 7 court appearance.
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