Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
POLICE have arrested four Beitbridge-based customs agents who are believed to be part of a group that recently breached the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) customs system.
Following the recent breach, thousands of dollars were credited into bank accounts of customs agents who hold bonds with Zimra.
Under such a set-up, money kept in that form is deducted to pay duty and other levies when the agents process imports or exports of dutiable goods.
The four, who include Isaac Mazengera (52) a director at IT Maze Forwarders Ltd, Tausa Sithole (50) a director at Queenlight Investments Pvt Ltd, Norman Magonga (43) a director at Inhle Clearing Pvt Ltd and Shamiso Mubonderi (42) of Hyperclass Investments T/A Asante Sana, along with their companies, have been charged for fraud.
They initially appeared before Beitbridge Resident Magistrate, Ms Patience Madondo on Thursday and are expected in court again on Friday next week for formal bail application.
Prosecuting, Mr Tawanda Chigavazira said the charges arose on July 11 when the accused, all in the same manner, breached the Zimra customs systems and defrauded the revenue collector of thousands of dollars in local and foreign currency.
He said IT Maze Forwarders defrauded Zimra of US$25 056 and ZiG166 289 while Queenlight Investments Pvt Ltd duped Zimra 2,09 million ZiG and US$20 828.
The court heard that Inhle Clearing prejudiced the revenue collector of 2,15 million ZiG and Asante Sana got 1,9 million ZiG during the breach.
The accused were arrested following investigations by Zimra and the police.
However, Zimra has since rectified the problem and is instituting legal action against all those involved.
In some instances, select user accounts for customs clearing agents have been deactivated pending further action.
