The Zimbabwean government is intensifying its efforts to combat corruption by targeting individuals who allegedly exploited a civil servants’ vehicle rebate scheme to illegally import cars.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has initiated a civil forfeiture action in the High Court, aiming to seize vehicles owned by 30 people accused of collaborating with a former Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) official to defraud the state.
The case centers on Tambudzai Yvonne Musoni, a former Zimra office assistant now at large. Musoni is accused of accessing her supervisor’s computer unlawfully, forging documents, and approving the importation of over 400 vehicles under the civil servants’ rebate scheme, intended for tax-free vehicle imports by qualifying civil servants.
Following an investigation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), the Prosecutor-General has secured a property freezing order against Musoni and her spouse, Melusi. This order includes the seizure of their house, vehicles, and funds from bank accounts connected to Watershed College and Lusitania Primary School, where their children are enrolled.
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Chris Mutangadura, Director of the Asset Management Unit at the NPA, has filed a separate forfeiture application to recover vehicles purchased by the 30 individuals implicated in the scheme.
“The application stems from a docket provided by the ZACC detailing criminal activities surrounding the misuse of the civil servants’ vehicle import duty exemption scheme,” stated Mutangadura.
“This scheme, intended to assist civil servants by waiving import duties on vehicles, was manipulated by the respondents to commit fraud. My investigation reveals a complex operation involving forged documents, false rebate letters, and illegal vehicle imports, which undermines the government’s genuine policy.”
The NPA claims that Zimra incurred losses of approximately US$64,179 and ZW$10,512,362 due to these fraudulent activities.
The individuals named in the application are:
– Patricia Mudzimba
– Johnson Sithole
– Tariro Marvelous Chisvo
– Antonio Slyvester
– Justice Masawi
– Ruwadzano Gloria
– Dube Appronia
– Noah Munongoverwa
– Agness Matsvairo
– Peteous Ndovorwi
– Benda Sambizi
– Itai Rebecca Jamba
– Tendai Chirozva
– Nyasha Chigamba
– Tapiwa Gono
– Mahachi Demetrio
– Manhango
– Dilan Chigama
– Alice Mazikana
– Charity Mapira
– Lazarus Musamba
– Mungofa Runyararo
– Douglas Chazireni
– Maxwell Mukaro
– Elvis Murauro
– Dennis Dzikiti
– Sarudzai Kaseke
– Nyandundu Simon
The NPA contends that these individuals, in collusion with Musoni, engaged in multiple fraudulent practices to benefit from the rebate scheme. These practices included undervaluing vehicles, using counterfeit rebate documents, and leveraging fraudulent clearance letters.
Mutangadura emphasized that Musoni orchestrated the fraudulent activities, resulting in substantial personal gain through bribes and illegal profits, now subject to the High Court’s property freezing order.
