Sukoluhle Ndlovu
A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) revenue officer and two clearing agents have been arrested over the alleged smuggling of 140 bales of clothes weighing 30 tonnes from Tanzania into Zimbabwe.
ZIMRA Revenue Officer Emmanuel Munyaradzi Charimari, who is stationed at the Chirundu One Stop Border Post, is facing a charge of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer, while clearing agents Basil Tawanda Gayihayi and Takudzwa Hamilton Nyikadzino are facing fraud charges.
“The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) confirms the arrest of a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) Revenue Officer and two clearing agents in connection with the smuggling from Tanzania, 140 bales of clothes weighing 30-tonnes,” ZACC said in a statement.
The commission alleges that on 14 July 2026, Charimari was manning the southbound gate at Chirundu when he allowed a truck carrying the smuggled goods to enter the country without following the required procedures.
The truck was later intercepted by ZACC officials in Chitungwiza on 15 July, leading to investigations into how the consignment had passed through the border.
ZACC alleges that Charimari, who was the final clearance officer, failed to receive and verify the clearance documents, check the consignment on the ASYCUDA system or record the vehicle’s details in the prescribed registers.
The commission alleges that Gayihayi and Nyikadzino were also involved in the scheme, working with another accomplice, Ishmael Gezani, who is still at large.
According to ZACC, after the consignment had been cleared on the Zambian side, Gayihayi allegedly created fake clearing documents declaring the 30-tonne cargo as 50 drums of honey weighing 22 000 kilogrammes and destined for South Africa.
Nyikadzino allegedly presented the documents to ZIMRA officials, allowing the clothes to enter Zimbabwe without payment of duty.
“Gayihayi allegedly assigned Nyikadzino to present forged documents to ZIMRA officials, leading to the successful smuggling of the goods into Zimbabwe without payment of duty,” the commission said.
The three accused were arrested at Chirundu One Stop Border Post on 27 July 2026 and appeared before the Kariba Magistrates’ Court.
They were remanded out of custody on US$200 bail each.
Gezani remains at large as investigations continue.
