Crimes and Courts
HARARE – The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) officer and four customs clearing agents for allegedly orchestrating a smuggling operation through the Forbes Border Post.
Collins Chakamavinga, a ZIMRA revenue officer, was apprehended alongside clearing agents Michael Makonye, Batsirai Mangoma, Zondai Bechayi, and Steven Masaraure. The agents represent Withyou Customs Clearing (Pvt) Ltd and Tayema Investments (Pvt) Ltd.
ZACC stated that the group colluded to submit fraudulent customs declarations, deliberately mislabeling smuggled goods as agricultural equipment to evade duties. The scheme was uncovered when ZACC intercepted two Mozambican-registered trucks carrying the misdeclared consignment.
Investigations revealed that Chakamavinga, allegedly working with another official, Hillary Chiwamba, facilitated the illegal activity by releasing the trucks without the mandatory inspection or scanning. ZACC further reported that one truck, initially flagged and redirected for re-inspection, was improperly released a second time without examination. The circumstances of this second release remain under investigation.
“The suspects colluded with ZIMRA officials to submit false customs declarations and smuggle goods into Zimbabwe,” ZACC confirmed.
“The goods intercepted had been falsely declared as agricultural equipment.”
The exact financial prejudice suffered by the state is still being calculated. The five arrested individuals are scheduled to appear before the Mutare Magistrates Court today, July 16, 2025, to face charges related to fraud and violations of the Customs and Excise Act.
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