Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A HARARE businessman and director of Whitecard Tobacco Company Private Limited, Tawanda Mandudzo, has been arrested for attempting to bribe officials from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) with US$2 000 in a bid to secure the release of illegally held tobacco destined for South Africa.
Mandudzo (51) appeared before Harare Magistrate Mr Tapiwa Kuhudzai yesterday charged with bribery and was granted US$300 bail.
According to the State, an investigation led by the TIMB inspectorate manager, Mr Isiah Hokonya, into illegal tobacco dealings involving Mandudzo and his alleged accomplices, unearthed this offence.
The matter came to light on July 23, 2025, during a routine surveillance operation by TIMB inspectors and a team of Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers in the Waterfalls area of Harare.
The team apprehended Ringisai Manhando at 176 First Avenue, Waterfalls, for illegal tobacco dealing.
Manhando was found with a truck loaded with compressed boxes of lamina (hand-stripped tobacco), which he allegedly intended to smuggle to South Africa. Investigations revealed that Mandudzo was collaborating with Manhando, using his company’s export permits, which were authorised for exporting tobacco stems, to falsely declare and smuggle lamina as stems.
Further inquiries revealed that Mandudzo was processing tobacco stems of unexplained origin, violating TIMB’s licensing regulations.
TIMB policy stipulates that scrap licenses used for handling tobacco waste can only be issued after auction floors close to prevent side marketing.
Mandudzo, however, was found in possession of tobacco stems despite lacking the required license.
The investigation intensified when Mandudzo’s alleged South African trading partner, identified only as Fayaz and linked to NITTO Investments, called Mr Hokonya on July 25.
Fayaz pleaded with Hokonya to release the impounded tobacco, revealing that Mandudzo had provided him with the official’s contact details.
On the same day, Mandudzo called Mr Hokonya, offering a US$3 000 bribe to facilitate the release of the tobacco.
Despite being turned down, Mandudzo persisted, lowering the bribe offer to US$2 000 and pressuring the complainant to accept the money.
Mr Hokonya reported the bribery attempt to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and a trap was set.
On July 28, 2025, Mandudzo intensified his efforts, contacting Mr Hokonya to finalise the bribe arrangement and ZACC investigators set up surveillance equipment at TIMB headquarters in Southerton to record the exchange.
At around 2:30 pm, Mandudzo arrived at Mr Hokonya’s office with a black plastic bag containing US$2 000 in cash.
He handed the bribe to Mr Hokonya, who counted the money before passing it to ZACC Principal Investigations Officer, Mr Henry Chapwanya.
The transaction was captured on video. After confirming the amount, Mr Chapwanya identified himself and arrested Mandudzo on the spot. The money was seized as evidence.
