A 65-year-old Zimbabwean-born American citizen, Evelyn Bengesa, appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Courts yesterday facing charges of contravening the Exchange Control Act (Chapter 22:05) relating to externalisation.
Bengesa, who resides in Domboshava, is accused of selling her matrimonial home in Harare and externalising a substantial portion of the proceeds without the required authorisation.
The court heard from prosecutor Zvikomborero Mupasa that on August 25, 2025, Bengesa entered into an agreement to sell her house, located at number 16 Prices Avenue, Mt Pleasant, Harare, to Equavanance Investments (Private) Limited for US$660,000.
On September 16, 2025, Bengesa allegedly left Zimbabwe for Botswana via the Plumtree Border Post, carrying US$480,000 in cash.
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Upon arrival in Francistown, she deposited the money into her company account held with Stanbic Bank.
However, the transaction was flagged by the bank, which suspected the funds were illicit, leading to the freezing of her account.
When questioned, Bengesa reportedly stated that the money originated from the sale of her Harare property.
Further investigations, including an enquiry by Interpol, allegedly uncovered the offence. Bengesa was arrested upon her return to Zimbabwe, where she was seeking clearance to access her Botswana-based account.
Her actions are alleged to contravene Section 5(1)(3) of the Exchange Control Act (Chapter 22:05), as well as Section 11(1)(a)(b) of the Exchange Control Regulations.
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