HARARE, Zimbabwe — Authorities have arrested Grant Wellington Thulisa (Pvt) Ltd and its director, Grant Chitate, over allegations of illegally moving foreign currency worth nearly US$7.7 million to import liquefied petroleum (LP) gas without central bank approval.
Chitate, acting both in his personal capacity and on behalf of the company, is facing charges under Section 5(1) of the Exchange Control Act [Chapter 22:05], read with Section 11(1)(a)(b) of the Exchange Control Regulations, S.I. 109 of 1996. He is accused of making foreign payments without authorization from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
Between January 2019 and December 2024, the company allegedly made external payments to import 9.4 million kilograms of LP gas valued at $7,669,864.12. Authorities say no matching inflows were recorded in local bank accounts, raising red flags over the source and destination of the funds.
Chitate was granted $1,000 bail with stringent conditions. He is expected back in court on Sept. 2.
The arrest forms part of a broader crackdown by Zimbabwean authorities targeting illicit forex transactions and opaque high-value imports.
