Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike-Zimpapers Reporter
The High Court has forfeited approximately 20 vehicles and over US$37 000 in cash to the State, following major abuse of the civil servants’ vehicle rebate scheme by a former Zimbabwe Revenue Authority official.
The ruling targeted assets linked to Tambudzai Musoni, a former ZIMRA administration assistant, who orchestrated the illegal importation of around 300 vehicles using counterfeit rebate documents. Justice Benjamin Chikowero, sitting with Justice Pisirayi Kwenda, granted the civil forfeiture order applied for by the Prosecutor-General.
The court ruled that the vehicles were “tainted property” as they were imported without payment of legally required duty, thereby defrauding the fiscus.
Musoni also lost US$18 261 held in trust at Watershed College and another US$18 940 held at Lusitania Primary School, which the court found to be proceeds of her illicit activities.
“The applicant has asked me to find that the first respondent financially benefited from the unlawful activity . . . I have no hesitation in making such a finding,” said Justice Chikowero.
He noted that Musoni did not oppose the proceedings, leaving the evidence against her uncontested. Evidence presented revealed that between January 2022 and March 2023, Musoni authored and confirmed fake rebate letters for individuals who did not qualify for the duty exemption.
The scheme was designed for serving civil servants with over ten years of service, meeting specific grades, and importing vehicles within a defined age limit.
Musoni, whose role did not involve issuing such letters, collaborated with others to present the forged documents at border posts including Beitbridge, Plumtree, Chirundu and Kariba, enabling the duty-free import of vehicles.
However, the court showed leniency to some vehicle owners, ordering the return of cars to individuals who successfully proved they were unaware of the fraud, rendering them victims of the scam.
The State’s attempt to forfeit a residential property belonging to Musoni and her husband in Ruwa’s Mabvazuva Township was dismissed. The court found no evidence linking the acquisition and development of the stand, purchased in March 2018, to the criminal activities which began in 2022.
“Besides making the allegation, the application has completely failed to adduce any kind of evidence in support thereof,” Justice Chikowero said, rejecting the claim against the property.
The ruling underscores ongoing efforts to curb corruption and recover assets acquired through illegal means, particularly within revenue collection systems. Musoni resigned from ZIMRA in April 2023 as investigations into the scam intensified.
