HARARE – The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has confirmed the arrest of Collins Chakamavinga, an official with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), along with four clearing agents, over allegations of fraud and customs violations.
The agents — Michael Makonye, Batsirai Mangoma, Zondai Bechayi, and Steven Masaraure — are employed by Withyou Customs Clearing (Pvt) Ltd and Tayema Investments (Pvt) Ltd.
According to ZACC, the accused conspired with ZIMRA officers to falsify customs declarations and smuggle various goods into Zimbabwe through the Forbes Border Post, mislabeling them as agricultural equipment.
Two Mozambican-registered trucks were intercepted by ZACC investigators. Subsequent investigation revealed that Chakamavinga and another ZIMRA official, Hillary Chiwamba, had released the trucks without conducting the required inspections or scans. Even after red flags were raised, one of the trucks was released again without being searched.
The motive behind the unauthorized releases is under investigation, and the total financial loss to the Zimbabwean government is still being calculated.
All five suspects are expected to appear before the Mutare Magistrates Court on July 16, 2025.
