Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
FOUR people have been arrested in a high-stakes import duty fraud involving suitcase accessories imported as duty-free agricultural equipment, with the Government prejudiced of over US$163 000 in duties.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) swooped on Gan Zhewen, Lin Hui, Bi Yanyan and Arnold Mlambo after they allegedly falsified customs documents to smuggle 1 342 cartons of suitcase accessories under the guise of fertiliser distributors and steel tubes, items exempt from import duty.
The consignment was cleared without physical inspection, and the accused paid only US$4 531 in Value Added Tax (VAT), significantly short-changing the State.
ZACC Commissioner Kindness Paradza confirmed the arrests in a statement.
“This case is a glaring example of how corruption and manipulation of import procedures are used to defraud the country,” he said.
“We commend ZIMRA for detecting the irregularities and acting swiftly. The suspects thought they could abuse duty exemptions meant to benefit our farmers, but justice will take its course.”
ZIMRA uncovered the fraud during post-clearance audits and immediately impounded the goods. The matter was referred to ZACC, which initiated investigations and arrested the suspects.
The four were brought before the Harare Magistrates’ Court and remanded on bail of US$150 each to June 23 pending further proceedings. Commissioner Paradza said ZACC would continue to tighten its grip on corrupt practices in both public and private sectors.
“We are sending a clear message: Any abuse of government incentives and corruption at the borders will not go unpunished,” he said.
The case has sparked renewed calls for stricter monitoring of customs declarations and more rigorous inspection protocols to plug loopholes in Zimbabwe’s import systems.
