A high-level corruption scandal has hit ZIMRA, with two employees arrested and charged in connection with a US$6.3 million fraud scheme that exploited vulnerabilities in the organisation’s systems.
Shupikai Mary Nicola Marongwe ,52, and Paradzai Mutasa ,35, appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa.
According to the charges, Marongwe, a database administrator, and Mutasa, a systems developer, created fictitious entries in clearing agents’ prepayment accounts, enabling the agents to bypass customs duties while the accused pocketed the proceeds.
The duo allegedly exploited ZIMRA’s Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window project, which was designed to streamline import and export processes.
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They are accused of creating an unauthorised account with extensive rights to edit, delete, and update databases without supervisory approval, in violation of ZIMRA’s change management policies.
The accused reportedly recruited clearing agents nationwide and inflated their prepayment accounts with fictitious deposit entries.
The agents then used the inflated balances to clear goods through customs without paying duties, while the accused received cash kickbacks.
The fraudulent activities allegedly resulted in the clearance of goods worth millions without payment of customs duties, causing ZIMRA to lose an estimated US$6.3 million.
The accused were remanded in custody pending a bail ruling.
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