Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday seized a Lamborghini Urus and a Mercedes-Benz at a lodge in Newlands, Harare, on suspicion that the high-end vehicles are in the country illegally.
ZACC spokesperson Ms Simiso Mlevu said preliminary investigations indicate that the vehicles entered the country under Temporary Import Permits (TIPs) before allegedly being recorded as having exited Zimbabwe.
“The Lamborghini entered the country in June and exited on July 12. On the same date, the Mercedes-Benz entered the country and, according to official records, exited for South Africa on October 10,” she said.
“However, the two vehicles were seized at a lodge in Harare today.”
Ms Mlevu said a ZACC officer was assaulted during the operation by suspects believed to be involved in the smuggling case.
“In the process of seizing these vehicles, one of our officials was assaulted by individuals suspected to be involved in the smuggling of the vehicles. We reported the matter to the police,” she said.
Ms Mlevu said the impounding of the two vehicles is part of a wider operation.
“This is not an isolated case. Apart from the vehicles seized today, we have also seized 42 commuter omnibuses on suspicion that they were imported into the country in violation of the law, which stipulates that only vehicles less than 10 years old may be imported,” she said.
Ms Mlevu said investigations are ongoing and that ZACC will, in due course, provide details on the total value and number of assets seized.
