Man in court for unflagging car under Zimra probe

Michael Mashiri

A man has appeared in court after he was involved in unflagging a car to make it appear as though it was legitimately imported and yet it was under investigation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

George Chamwaura, 49, of Mainway Meadows, Waterfalls appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Courts accused of obstructing the course of justice.

The State alleges that sometime in April 2023, Zacc began investigations on the civil servants' rebates abuse and identified several cars that had been cleared for duty purposes by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority using fake civil servants rebates.

On June 5, 2023, Zacc originated a letter of request which was sent to Zimbabwe National Roads Authority requesting for a total of 112 vehicles that were suspected to have been fraudulently imported into Zimbabwe through civil servants motor vehicle rebate scheme to be flagged in the Zinara system so as to facilitate the recovery of the cars at tollgates.

Among the vehicles that were flagged in the Zinara system was a Honda Fit registration number AGD3269.

On June 14, 2023, the Honda Fit reached approached Inkomo Tollgate being driven by one Spears Mandiziva Manyamba on his way to Chinhoyi from Harare.

The Zinara Revenue Officer who was serving told Manyamba that the vehicle which he was driving was under investigation by Zacc and was needed as an exhibit.

Zacc officials were contacted to come and get the vehicle.

Upon arrival at the tollgate, Crispen Kabaza and Antony Mahwamba, all Zacc officers were told that Manyamba sped off from the tollgate, leaving behind his bank card in the custody of the Zinara revenue officer.

Investigations that were made revealed that Manyamba is employed by National Social Security Authority in Chinhoyi.

Kabaza, Chapwanya and Gamuchiral Zimunhu went to Chinhonyl to recover the car and bring it back to Zacc Harare Offices.

Upon arrival at inkomo Barracks tollgate, the Zacc officers were told that the vehicle was not flagged in the Zinara system.

Investigations revealed that one Oneraipo Matienga contacted Chamwaura, requesting him to unflag the car in exchange of US$450 on June 21, 2023.

Investigations also established that on the same date, Chamwaura using his Zinara profile went and unflagged the car in the Zinara system so that it could freely pass through the tollgates without being detected that it is under investigation.

Chamwaura will appear in court on October 25.