Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
TWO men have appeared in court after allegedly posing as directors of a seed company to smuggle potato seeds from South Africa using the firm’s registration details.
Antonio Manatsa (61) and Vengai Chipondeni (38) appeared before Harare magistrate, Tapiwa Kuhudzai, facing fraud and smuggling charges.
They were granted bail and remanded to September 24.
The State alleges that the pair worked with a third suspect, identified only as Phillip, who is still at large.
Phillip is allegedly an agent at Beitbridge Border Post employed by registered clearing agent Armsurge Enterprises.
Prosecutor Dzidzai Josiah told the court that the accused allegedly misrepresented themselves to ZIMRA as directors of Elite Seeds Pvt Ltd.
They allegedly used the company’s details to clear a consignment of potato seed imported from South Africa on July 24, 2026.
The State alleges that import documents were processed in the name of Elite Seeds Pvt Ltd using the company’s import permit number on the bill of entry.
But the consignment allegedly did not have the mandatory documents required to legally import potato seed.
These included an import licence and Plant Pest and Diseases Permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, a Bio Safety Import Permit from the National Biotechnology Authority, an Agricultural Marketing Authority certificate of registration, a SADC Certificate and a Tax Clearance Certificate.
ZIMRA loss control officer Samuel Munapo is the first complainant, while Elite Seeds Pvt Ltd is the second complainant, represented by Arnold Makomborero Mapeta.
The State alleges that Mapeta was shocked to learn on July 24 that a consignment had been imported under his company’s name.
He allegedly went to the National Railways of Zimbabwe, where the potato seed was being held, and was shown documents processed in Elite Seeds’ name.
But Mapeta allegedly denied authorising the importation or importing the consignment.
He subsequently reported the matter at Harare Central Police Station.
The report led to the arrest of Manatsa and Chipondeni.
Phillip remains at large.
