Four officers from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) have been charged with corruption after allegedly demanding bribes to release confiscated goods.
The suspects Gwatirinda Paul (42), Mutwira Obert (40), Homera Simon Tavaguta (38), and Maguta Jonathan (38) were brought before Harare magistrate Taurai Manuwere, facing abuse of office charges. They remain in custody pending a bail ruling.
According to court documents, the officers were assigned to BAK Storage on January 9 to carry out post-clearance inspections on cross-border buses and trucks. This operation was part of a joint effort with the Zimbabwe Republic Police to curb smuggling activities.
That same day, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) received a complaint from an individual who claimed the officers had demanded a US$6,000 bribe to release her impounded bus. Acting on this tip, ZACC organized a sting operation using US$1,500 in marked bills.
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During the operation, the complainant initially paid ZWG55,000, calculated as excise duty by Gwatirinda. She later approached Gwatirinda, who was inside a Zimra-branded Toyota Hilux with the other accused officers, to negotiate her bus’s release.
Gwatirinda allegedly demanded the bribe in full view of his co-accused. The complainant handed over the money, after which ZACC officers moved in to arrest the suspects.
The sting operation recovered the marked US$1,500 and an additional US$3,951 inside the Zimra vehicle, believed to be part of funds extorted from other transporters.
The prosecution alleges the officers abused their positions to solicit bribes, showing preferential treatment to some operators while disadvantaging others.
