Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) official and four clearing agents on allegations of fraud at Forbes Border Post in Mutare.
They are Collins Chakamavinga, a Zimra official and four clearing agents Michael Makonye, Batsirai Mangoma, Zondai Bechayi, and Steven Masaraure, who are all facing fraud charges and violating customs and excise regulations.
The agents are from Withyou Customs Clearing (Pvt) Ltd and Tayema Investments (Pvt) Ltd.
The clearing agents allegedly colluded with Zimra revenue officers to make false customs declarations and smuggle various goods into Zimbabwe via the Forbes Border Post.
ZACC intercepted two trucks with Mozambican registration numbers, carrying an assortment of goods that had been declared as agricultural equipment.
Investigations revealed that Chakamavinga and Hillary Chiwamba released the trucks without inspection or scanning.
Even after the trucks had been flagged and redirected for re-searching, one truck was released again without examination and the motive is under investigation.
The financial loss to the State is still being determined.
The suspects are due to appear at Mutare Magistrates Court today.
