Four men have appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court on charges of allegedly smuggling about 30 tonnes of clothing and other goods into Zimbabwe from Tanzania after authorities intercepted the consignment in Chitungwiza.
Maulidi Sultan (56), Mhina Sebastian Mtakwa (53), James Mugumbati (46), and Calton Mutize (42) appeared before magistrate Jesse Kufa facing smuggling charges.
Mugumbati is also charged with impersonating a police officer.
The four were remanded in custody pending a bail ruling.
Prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe told the court that on July 15, 2026, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission received information that a South African-registered haulage truck carrying about 30 tonnes of smuggled clothing and assorted goods was heading to the Chitungwiza Industrial Area.
ZACC officers tracked the truck and intercepted it at an industrial property in Chitungwiza before the cargo could be offloaded.
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Sultan and Mtakwa, who allegedly identified themselves as the driver and assistant driver, told investigators they worked for Rashid Mwakatobe Logistics, a South African haulage company.
While officers were inspecting the consignment and requesting customs clearance documents, Mugumbati allegedly arrived at the scene and falsely identified himself as a serving Zimbabwe Republic Police officer attached to the Police Intelligence Unit. Prosecutors say he produced an identity card in support of the claim.
The State alleges Mugumbati told investigators he jointly owned the consignment with Mutize, who later arrived at the scene. The pair allegedly said they had hired the truck to transport the goods from Tanzania.
The accused produced documents they claimed showed the cargo had been cleared at Chirundu Border Post between July 11 and July 14, 2026.
However, investigations allegedly revealed the documents related to a separate consignment of 22 tonnes of honey and not the clothing found on the truck.
The court heard that the accused failed to produce valid customs clearance documents for the clothing, leading to their arrest. ZACC also seized the truck and trailer.
Mugumbati faces a separate charge of impersonating a police officer in connection with the alleged misrepresentation during the interception.
The matter was postponed pending the determination of their bail application.
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