By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
MUTARE — The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) official and four customs clearing agents in a major fraud and smuggling bust at the Forbes Border Post.
ZIMRA official Collins Chakamavinga and clearing agents Michael Makonye, Batsirai Mangoma, Zondai Bechayi, and Steven Masaraure—linked to Withyou Customs Clearing (Pvt) Ltd and Tayema Investments (Pvt) Ltd—are accused of conspiring to make false declarations on goods crossing the border.
Their alleged operation came to light after ZACC intercepted two trucks that were transporting goods using fraudulent paperwork. A ZACC statement revealed that the trucks had been improperly cleared without inspection or scanning.
“Investigations found that Chakamavinga and another ZIMRA official, Hillary Chiwamba, released the trucks without the required checks,” the anti-corruption body said.
“Even after the vehicles were flagged for re-examination, one of the trucks was again released without being searched. The motive behind this release is still under investigation.”
The total financial loss to the state due to the smuggling operation has not yet been quantified.
The five suspects are expected to appear for a bail hearing at the Mutare Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The arrests come amid renewed scrutiny of Zimbabwe’s border control systems, which have long been criticized for allowing smuggling operations to thrive due to weak enforcement and corruption.
ZACC has vowed to intensify its crackdown on border-related corruption in a bid to curb revenue losses and restore integrity within public institutions.