Zimra employees denied bail over US$6.3 million fraud

The pair was implicated when their alleged accomplices Desmond Rutsito (42) and Leeroy Manyange (28) appeared in court yesterday and are said to be on the run. The duo is facing three counts of fraud after they allegedly sold commercial stands, they were not authorised to dispose of, prejudicing three buyers of a combined US$161 000.

Yeukai Karengezeka

Court Correspondent

Two Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) employees accused of manipulating the organisation’s system to defraud over US$6.3 million have been denied bail by Harare magistrate, Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa.

The accused, Shupikai Mary Nicola Marongwe (52), a database administrator, and Paradzai Mutasa (35), a systems developer, are facing charges of criminal abuse of office and fraud.

They are set to appear in court again on the 9th of October.

In her ruling, Mrs Gofa noted that the two are facing severe charges and could get lengthy prison sentences.

In denying bail, she highlighted the high risk of absconding.

According to the State, Marongwe and Mutasa allegedly exploited their roles at Zimra to manipulate the organisation’s systems.

They reportedly made fictitious entries in some clearing agents’ pre-payment accounts, thereby allowing the agents to bypass customs duties.

The accused allegedly pocketed US$6.3 million from these transactions, resulting in Zimra losing revenue.