A Beitbridge-based woman is accused of defrauding a Harare company of more than US$36,000 after allegedly pretending to clear a vehicle using fraudulent tax payments.
Demetria Rutsvara, 51, is accused of misleading Hardwaves Audio Acoustix Private Limited, represented by its director, Ephraim Rateyiwa, after presenting herself as a clearing agent capable of facilitating the importation of a Toyota Land Cruiser in July 2025.
Rutsvara reportedly quoted a duty fee of US$38,000 and instructed Rateyiwa to either deposit the money into her personal CBZ bank account or pay cash, offering a US$1,500 discount for cash payments.
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On July 7, 2025, Rateyiwa allegedly handed over US$36,104 in cash to Rutsvara’s alleged accomplice, Shepherd Tsiga Mburuma, who is still at large.
Authorities allege that instead of legitimately paying customs duty, Rutsvara used a ZIMRA prepayment account credited with fake funds to process the clearance of the vehicle, which was later registered under number plates AHC 7104.
The scheme reportedly came to light when ZIMRA later informed Rateyiwa that the vehicle had been fraudulently registered, prompting him to report the matter to the police.
The company is said to have lost US$36,104 in the alleged scam. Rutsvara is expected to return to court on February 2, 2026.
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