HARARE — The High Court has ordered the forfeiture of a Ford Ranger Raptor valued at US$85,000 after investigators uncovered an alleged vehicle smuggling scheme that deprived the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) of US$20,000 in customs duty.

Justice Benjamin Chikowero granted an application by the Prosecutor-General for the vehicle to be surrendered to the State, ruling that it constituted property linked to criminal activity.

The ruling, delivered earlier this month, followed investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) into allegations that a vehicle chassis was imported through Beitbridge Border Post and subsequently registered as a locally rebuilt vehicle to evade customs duty.

According to court documents filed by ZACC investigator Rennie Malemelo, Matthew Musengezi allegedly used the personal details of Tsitsi Chirimumimba without her knowledge to import the chassis in August 2023.

Investigators said customs duty was paid on the chassis alone instead of the fully assembled Ford Ranger Raptor.

Musengezi allegedly misrepresented to Zimra that the vehicle had been rebuilt locally using a separately purchased engine and other components, enabling him to obtain clearance documents that understated the applicable duty.

The alleged scheme resulted in Zimra losing approximately US$20,000.

Court papers show that Musengezi subsequently gave the clearance documents to car dealer Lovemore Kudzanai Mafusire, who facilitated the vehicle’s registration with the Central Vehicle Registry.

The vehicle was registered in Chirimumimba’s name despite her having no knowledge of the transaction.

Mafusire allegedly went on to forge an agreement of sale purporting to show that Chirimumimba had sold him the vehicle before offering it for sale on Musengezi’s behalf.

ZACC investigations established that Chirimumimba, who works as a domestic worker in South Africa, had never purchased the vehicle, signed a sale agreement or registered a motor vehicle in her name.

Investigators also established that she lacked the financial means to acquire the luxury pickup truck.

ZACC recovered the Ford Ranger Raptor from a car dealership on April 14, 2024.

A subsequent inspection by the Automobile Association of Zimbabwe on Aug. 27, 2024, contradicted claims that the vehicle had been rebuilt locally.

Inspectors found that the body and chassis were joined using factory welding, bolts and rubber fittings, indicating that the vehicle had not undergone the reconstruction claimed in the customs documentation.

Investigators identified possible fraud and money laundering offenses under Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and Section 8(2) of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act.

Chikowero ordered the forfeiture of the vehicle, registration number AGE 5418, to the State.

The court also directed that the vehicle’s ownership be transferred to the State within seven working days, failing which the Sheriff of the High Court or a deputy would be authorized to execute the transfer.

No order was made as to costs.