Beitbridge man found with counterfeit Zimra and immigration stamps

A man from Dulibadzimu in Beitbridge has been sentenced to six months in prison after he was found in possession of a range of counterfeit ZIMRA and immigration stamping materials suspected to have been used in fraudulent activities.

Last Khumalo (33) was convicted by the Beitbridge Magistrates Court on charges related to the illegal possession of official-looking government documents and stamps.

The court heard that a ZIMRA reaction team acted on a tip-off and searched Khumalo's residence, where they discovered nine date stamp covers, 98 rubber stamps, 15 blank ZIMRA declaration forms, six ZIMRA date stamps, seven Zimbabwe immigration date stamps, seven South African immigration date stamps, and six copies of stamped passports.

Investigators suspect the equipment was being used to facilitate fraud involving travel and customs documentation.

Further searches reportedly led to the recovery of two passports belonging to individuals identified as Chifove Milton and Panashe Marinda.

Khumalo was sentenced to six months imprisonment, with two months suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within five years.