Online Reporter
Herald Correspondent
Union Energy Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd has appeared in court facing allegations involving US$363 173 money laundering charges.
Harare magistrate, Mrs Jessie Kufa, deferred the matter to June 30 for possible trial commencement.
The court heard that on November 28, 2025, detectives from CID Asset Forfeiture were deployed on operation “Pressure Vaive”, with the mandate of checking fuel and LPG retail sites to verify sources of funding, pricing anomalies, courier-linked transactions, bank use and full compliance with the licensing processes.
The operation was meant to disrupt laundering networks and courier syndicates. On the same date and during the morning, the team visited union Energy Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd at number 17 Lorely Street, Masasa Industrial Area, Harare and established that it was in the business of importing lubricants.
Preliminary investigations conducted revealed that during the period extending from June 2025 to November 28, 2025, the accused imported lubricants from union Energy Zimbabwe Private Limited, based in China, for a total cost of US$363 173.
According to company documents, the accused failed to produce proof that the imports were done through the normal banking system.
The company allegedly made offshore payments for the imports without the approval of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Exchange Control, thereby violating the Exchange Control Act.
Furthermore, the source of funding is unknown, thereby raising suspicion of money laundering activities.
The total value involved is US$363 173 and nothing was recovered.
