News / National
Zimra busts car import racket at Victoria Falls Border Post
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The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has uncovered a corruption syndicate involving three customs officers based at the Victoria Falls Border Post, accused of facilitating the illegal importation of vehicles older than 10 years. This practice directly violates Statutory Instrument 54 of 2024, which bans the importation of vehicles exceeding the 10-year age limit.
The accused officers, Phillip Kuvenga (28), Rangariraishe Zingwe (29), and Jean Felix Kadaro (30), allegedly falsified documentation to clear the banned vehicles, exposing a significant case of corruption at the border.
Prosecutors revealed that the trio manipulated records between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. They reportedly altered vehicle details, including chassis numbers, on valuation sheets and import registers to deceive their supervisor during the approval process. Once approval was secured, the accused officers updated the correct details into the ASYCUDA World System and replaced the original documents to complete the fraudulent clearance process.
The corruption scheme came to light when one vehicle, which had not yet arrived in Zimbabwe, was found to have been fraudulently cleared and registered. A subsequent investigation revealed the full extent of the illegal activity, leading to the suspension and arrest of the three officers.
The accused appeared separately before Victoria Falls Resident Magistrate Mr. Gift Manyika, charged with criminal abuse of office as public officers. They were denied bail and remanded in custody until February 17, when their trial is set to begin.
Prosecutors Mrs. Portia Moyo and Ms. Audrey Mukanganya, representing Zimra, outlined how the officers operated, receiving documents from clients either electronically or manually to process falsified valuation and clearance records. These documents were later altered or replaced entirely to facilitate the illegal release of vehicles without proper registration or recording, as required by station protocols.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in combating corruption within border operations, with Zimra vowing to implement stricter measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The accused officers, Phillip Kuvenga (28), Rangariraishe Zingwe (29), and Jean Felix Kadaro (30), allegedly falsified documentation to clear the banned vehicles, exposing a significant case of corruption at the border.
Prosecutors revealed that the trio manipulated records between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024. They reportedly altered vehicle details, including chassis numbers, on valuation sheets and import registers to deceive their supervisor during the approval process. Once approval was secured, the accused officers updated the correct details into the ASYCUDA World System and replaced the original documents to complete the fraudulent clearance process.
The accused appeared separately before Victoria Falls Resident Magistrate Mr. Gift Manyika, charged with criminal abuse of office as public officers. They were denied bail and remanded in custody until February 17, when their trial is set to begin.
Prosecutors Mrs. Portia Moyo and Ms. Audrey Mukanganya, representing Zimra, outlined how the officers operated, receiving documents from clients either electronically or manually to process falsified valuation and clearance records. These documents were later altered or replaced entirely to facilitate the illegal release of vehicles without proper registration or recording, as required by station protocols.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in combating corruption within border operations, with Zimra vowing to implement stricter measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Source - the herald
