Chitungwiza deputy mayor Kiven Mutimbanyoka is in the eye of a tax evasion storm after a whistleblower tipped off the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) that the councillor had smuggled goods into the country through illicit means.
Sources told Zim Morning Post that some of his goods were confiscated by the tax collector at Beitbridge border post, while some were seized at his FreshCo company premises in Harare as well as from his house in Harare.
“All the goods were seized at his shop located at 155 Enterprise road, called FreshCo and at his house where there are also warehouses and cold rooms,” said the source
The Zanu PF councillor is alleged to have smuggled a consignment of fruits, vegetables and groceries without a permit.
It is reported that Mutimbanyoka unceremoniously fired his workers thus angering one of them who decided to blow the whistle.
Sources told this publication that Mutimbanyoka boasted that he was too powerful as he enjoyed protection from politicians and hence feared no one after being informed of the impending raid.
“And Kevin boastfully challenged them that he is politically connected and he joined politics to cover his shenanigans,” said the source.
Reached for comment Mutimbanyoka acknowledged that ZIMRA officials visited his office on Friday and embargoed some of his retail goods.
“This matter is under investigation and I cannot dwell much on it. They visited my office on Friday and gave an embargo on certain goods, they did not seize anything from me,” Mutimbanyoka told Zim Morning Post.
The councillor was sworn in as deputy mayor of Chitungwiza in October 2021, taking over from Musa Mukweza who was recalled by the MDC Alliance.
He rose to the deputy mayorship post after being appointed by Local Government and Public Works minister July Moyo who said the council had failed or neglected to appoint a deputy mayor in terms of Section 104 of the Urban Councils Act.
