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Witness incriminates Ministry of Industry and Commerce officials
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The trial of three Ministry of Industry and Commerce officials accused of issuing fraudulent vehicle import licences to over 200 unqualified individuals resumed this week, with damning forensic evidence presented in court directly implicating the ministry's principal economist.
Andrew Mateveke, a licence clerk, Webster Mondiwa, the deputy director of administration, and Fanuel Muzavazi, the principal economist, are facing charges of criminal abuse of office for allegedly flouting Statutory Instrument 89 of 2021. The regulation requires special import licences for all vehicles that are 10 years or older.
A forensic handwriting specialist, Mr Kurauone Madzivanyika, took the stand before Harare regional magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere, presenting evidence that suggested Muzavazi was the main signatory behind a large number of fraudulent licences.
Using advanced digital tools, including a Canon EOS 650D camera and high-magnification microscopes, Mr Madzivanyika said he examined 77 signatures found on the questioned import licences. "My analysis revealed that 77 questioned signatures shared consistent general and individual characteristics, indicating they were authored by the same person," he told the court.
He further testified that Muzavazi's standard and requested sample signatures matched those found on the suspect documents, reinforcing the link to the accused economist.
The testimony marked the conclusion of the State's case, with a ruling on whether the trio will be discharged expected on June 23.
According to the State, the scheme began in April 2021, when the Ministry of Industry and Commerce received a request for import licence books. Mondiwa, one of the accused, instructed ministry official Ngonidzashe Shoko to prepare and issue vouchers for 17 licence books. However, the books were later returned to Mondiwa, who is alleged to have unlawfully diverted four of them.
In a coordinated effort, Mondiwa, Mateveke and Muzavazi allegedly used the diverted books to issue import licences to individuals who did not meet the requirements under SI 89 of 2021. Muzavazi, the ministry's designated signatory, reportedly signed the documents without conducting any formal vetting.
These licences were later presented by car importers to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) for vehicle clearance. Suspicion was raised by ZIMRA officials who contacted the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to confirm the validity of the documents. In a bid to cover up the fraud, Mateveke allegedly falsely confirmed the licences as authentic, even though they were never officially allocated to the ministry's Bulawayo office.
The case has drawn significant public attention, highlighting loopholes in the country's vehicle import regulations and oversight within government departments. If convicted, the trio could face lengthy prison terms and permanent disqualification from public office.
Andrew Mateveke, a licence clerk, Webster Mondiwa, the deputy director of administration, and Fanuel Muzavazi, the principal economist, are facing charges of criminal abuse of office for allegedly flouting Statutory Instrument 89 of 2021. The regulation requires special import licences for all vehicles that are 10 years or older.
A forensic handwriting specialist, Mr Kurauone Madzivanyika, took the stand before Harare regional magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere, presenting evidence that suggested Muzavazi was the main signatory behind a large number of fraudulent licences.
Using advanced digital tools, including a Canon EOS 650D camera and high-magnification microscopes, Mr Madzivanyika said he examined 77 signatures found on the questioned import licences. "My analysis revealed that 77 questioned signatures shared consistent general and individual characteristics, indicating they were authored by the same person," he told the court.
He further testified that Muzavazi's standard and requested sample signatures matched those found on the suspect documents, reinforcing the link to the accused economist.
The testimony marked the conclusion of the State's case, with a ruling on whether the trio will be discharged expected on June 23.
According to the State, the scheme began in April 2021, when the Ministry of Industry and Commerce received a request for import licence books. Mondiwa, one of the accused, instructed ministry official Ngonidzashe Shoko to prepare and issue vouchers for 17 licence books. However, the books were later returned to Mondiwa, who is alleged to have unlawfully diverted four of them.
In a coordinated effort, Mondiwa, Mateveke and Muzavazi allegedly used the diverted books to issue import licences to individuals who did not meet the requirements under SI 89 of 2021. Muzavazi, the ministry's designated signatory, reportedly signed the documents without conducting any formal vetting.
These licences were later presented by car importers to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) for vehicle clearance. Suspicion was raised by ZIMRA officials who contacted the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to confirm the validity of the documents. In a bid to cover up the fraud, Mateveke allegedly falsely confirmed the licences as authentic, even though they were never officially allocated to the ministry's Bulawayo office.
The case has drawn significant public attention, highlighting loopholes in the country's vehicle import regulations and oversight within government departments. If convicted, the trio could face lengthy prison terms and permanent disqualification from public office.
Source - the herald
