Harare businessman Hugh Tinashe Sibanda has been found guilty of smuggling over 4.4 million litres of diesel into Zimbabwe using fake rebate letters. Sibanda, through his company, Centenary Tobacco Company, managed to avoid paying taxes and profited heavily by forging documents.
The scam, valued at nearly US$2.8 million, was uncovered when authorities detected irregularities in import records. After a full trial, Justice Benjamin Chikowero convicted Sibanda and his company of fraud last week.
This conviction adds to Sibanda’s legal troubles, as he had previously appeared in court in 2021, facing fraud and theft charges for defrauding OB Plus Trading of 360 tonnes of maize, valued at US$131,400.