News / National
Vehicle rebate abuse: 34 convicted, 3 000 cases under probe
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Authorities in Zimbabwe are investigating over 3,000 cases of alleged abuse of the civil servants vehicle rebate scheme, with 34 individuals already convicted. The government is intensifying its efforts to combat corruption and address the misuse of a program designed to assist long-serving civil servants in purchasing vehicles at reduced costs.
The rebate scheme, introduced in 2019, has been marred by reports of beneficiaries using counterfeit rebate letters to unlawfully import vehicles. This has led to significant financial losses for the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and undermined the scheme's original purpose of improving civil servants' mobility and quality of life.
Prosecutor-General Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo has pledged to recover taxpayers' money and hold perpetrators accountable. She emphasized the government's zero-tolerance approach to corruption, revealing that six prosecutors are currently facing charges for accepting bribes. "This should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can evade justice," she said.
The National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) Asset and Forfeiture Unit head, Mr. Chris Mutangadura, confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with property belonging to convicted individuals set to be forfeited to the State. He added that authorities are determined to prosecute all those involved in fraudulent activities to ensure justice is served.
One of the cases under investigation involves Tambudzayi Yvonne Musoni, a former Zimra employee accused of hacking her superior's electronic signature to fraudulently approve the importation of over 400 vehicles. This case, among others, highlights the scale of the abuse and the need for stringent oversight.
Other notable incidents include the illegal importation of a Nissan Note by Tapiwa Gono, who used a counterfeit rebate letter, resulting in a loss of US$4,128 to Zimra. Similarly, Maxwell Mukaro and Demetrio Manhango exploited forged documents to import Honda Fit vehicles, causing substantial revenue losses.
A joint operation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and Zimra has uncovered extensive abuse of the rebate scheme. Investigators are working to recover funds lost due to fraudulent activities while implementing measures to prevent future exploitation.
Justice Matanda-Moyo reiterated the government's commitment to accountability, stating, "We are going after those who abused the rebate scheme to recover all losses that resulted from their actions."
To prevent similar abuses, the government is focusing on enhancing regulations and oversight mechanisms. Collaborative efforts between the NPA, Zimra, and other agencies are underway to improve monitoring and enforcement capabilities.
This crackdown marks a significant step in restoring public trust and safeguarding the integrity of government programs. With investigations continuing, more prosecutions are expected, demonstrating a firm commitment to combating corruption and protecting public resources.
The rebate scheme, introduced in 2019, has been marred by reports of beneficiaries using counterfeit rebate letters to unlawfully import vehicles. This has led to significant financial losses for the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and undermined the scheme's original purpose of improving civil servants' mobility and quality of life.
Prosecutor-General Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo has pledged to recover taxpayers' money and hold perpetrators accountable. She emphasized the government's zero-tolerance approach to corruption, revealing that six prosecutors are currently facing charges for accepting bribes. "This should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can evade justice," she said.
The National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) Asset and Forfeiture Unit head, Mr. Chris Mutangadura, confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with property belonging to convicted individuals set to be forfeited to the State. He added that authorities are determined to prosecute all those involved in fraudulent activities to ensure justice is served.
One of the cases under investigation involves Tambudzayi Yvonne Musoni, a former Zimra employee accused of hacking her superior's electronic signature to fraudulently approve the importation of over 400 vehicles. This case, among others, highlights the scale of the abuse and the need for stringent oversight.
Other notable incidents include the illegal importation of a Nissan Note by Tapiwa Gono, who used a counterfeit rebate letter, resulting in a loss of US$4,128 to Zimra. Similarly, Maxwell Mukaro and Demetrio Manhango exploited forged documents to import Honda Fit vehicles, causing substantial revenue losses.
A joint operation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and Zimra has uncovered extensive abuse of the rebate scheme. Investigators are working to recover funds lost due to fraudulent activities while implementing measures to prevent future exploitation.
Justice Matanda-Moyo reiterated the government's commitment to accountability, stating, "We are going after those who abused the rebate scheme to recover all losses that resulted from their actions."
To prevent similar abuses, the government is focusing on enhancing regulations and oversight mechanisms. Collaborative efforts between the NPA, Zimra, and other agencies are underway to improve monitoring and enforcement capabilities.
This crackdown marks a significant step in restoring public trust and safeguarding the integrity of government programs. With investigations continuing, more prosecutions are expected, demonstrating a firm commitment to combating corruption and protecting public resources.
Source - the herald
