ZIMRA Tax Officer Tafadzwa Machingura Accused of Hiding Behind Politician’s Name to Evade Accountability

A senior officer at the Zimbabwe Revenue
Authority (ZIMRA), Raymore Tafadzwa
Machingura is facing mounting allegations of
corruption, abuse of office, and illicit
accumulation of wealth, amid claims he has
been invoking the name of a prominent ZANU
PF politician to protect himself from
accountability.

According to a dossier seen by this publication
and corroborated by a close source, Machingura
has appeared before multiple internal hearings
over the years, yet no decisive disciplinary
action has been taken.

The source, who requested anonymity for fear of
reprisals, alleged that Machingura “openly
boasts” that his actions are shielded by political
connections.

Documents reviewed indicate that Machingura
allegedly failed to declare substantial assets as
required under ZIMRA regulations.
The accumulation of such assets has raised
questions within the authority, with critics
arguing that the wealth appears
disproportionate to his known earnings.

The source further alleged that Machingura
leveraged his positions at key border posts to
engage in illicit dealings.

He reportedly worked at Plumtree, Mutare,
Beitbridge, and Bulawayo border stations
locations often flagged for smuggling and
corruption risks.

“Each time he was transferred, the same pattern
followed, unexplained wealth, and no
consequences,” the source claimed.

The dossier also claims that Machingura
frequently name-drops a ZANU PF official from
Chipinge Central, telling colleagues that his
“protection” ensures no action will ever be taken
against him.

This has fueled speculation within ZIMRA about
political interference in internal disciplinary
processes.
In response to questions from this publication,
Raymore Tafadzwa Machingura dismissed the
allegations as malicious and unfounded,
suggesting they were driven by personal
disputes.

“I implore you to do your verifications first to
ensure factual reporting. These are baseless
accusations being driven by a bitter and jealous
relative” he said.

On the alleged misconduct hearings,
Machingura stated:
“1 kindly refer you to our
ZIMRA HQ and enquire about
the alleged misconduct
hearings. I do not know of
any.

Regarding the purported undeclared properties,
he maintained that his records were in order:
“I kindly request you to
request for a copy of my
asset declaration from
ZIMRA and advise of any
that are not declared. Again,
I do not know of any.”

On claims of irregular dealings at border posts,
he responded:

“There is nothing specific to
respond to on this one.
Kindly tell me of any specific
irregular dealing that I was
involved in and I will
respond.”

Dismissing suggestions of political protection,
Machingura said:

“| do not need any
protection, but again you
can verify with ZIMRA if
anyone has interfered with
their processes.”

He further insisted that his wealth was
legitimate, built over years of business:
“I am open to any
verifications concerning my
sources of income. I have
long established businesses
that started even before my
appointment at ZIMRA. You
may request for my asset
declaration at my time of
inception (2010).”

Efforts to obtain an official comment from
ZIMRA’s communications department were
unsuccessful by the time of publication.