Ex-ZIMRA Officer Loses 16 Vehicles, US$37,000 Linked To Fake Duty Rebate For Civil Servants

The High Court has ordered the forfeiture of 16 vehicles and US$37,000 linked to a customs fraud scheme orchestrated by a former Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) officer.

Justices Benjamin Chikowero and Pisirayi Kwenda partially granted a civil forfeiture order under the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, ruling that the property was tainted by illegal activity.

The court found that Tambudzai Yvonne Musoni, a former ZIMRA Office Administration Assistant, abused the Civil Servants Vehicle Import Scheme between January 2022 and March 2023.

Musoni fabricated and confirmed fraudulent duty rebate letters, which were then used to import vehicles without paying the required customs duties.

These letters were unlawfully issued to non-civil servants and rejected applicants, allowing the vehicles to be cleared illegally.

Investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission revealed that Musoni personally profited from bribes during the scheme, which caused substantial losses to the State. She resigned in April 2023 while the investigations were still ongoing.

The High Court ruled that the 16 vehicles and the US$37,000 in cash must be forfeited to the State.