A 51-year-old teacher from Shurugwi has been taken to court for allegedly defrauding the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) by smuggling a vehicle into the country. The teacher, Bekithemba Ganyani, who works at Parkinson Secondary School, appeared before a magistrate in Harare and was remanded in custody until Friday, according to <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-shurugwi-teacher-in-hot-soup-over-fake-car-rebate">The Sunday Mail</a>. Ganyani’s accomplice, Peter Muruki, who was a clearing agent at Beitbridge Border Post, has since passed away.
According to the court, in February 2023, Ganyani purchased a 2013 Toyota Aqua vehicle in South Africa intending to import it using the civil servants rebate scheme. However, instead of following the proper procedure of applying for the rebate through the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, Ganyani conspired with the late Muruki to obtain a fake rebate letter for importing the vehicle.
Ganyani provided the late Muruki with copies of his driver’s license and pay slip, and paid him $300 to process the fake rebate letter. The deceased then presented the forged documents to ZIMRA officials at Beitbridge Border Post.
The accused was arrested on January 16, 2024, when he was found in possession of fake rebate copies during an investigation at the ZIMRA office. As a result of this fraudulent act, ZIMRA suffered a loss of ZW$3 million in unpaid import duty.
The case highlights the illegal activities that some individuals engage in to evade taxes and import goods unlawfully. Some cases involve ZIMRA officials. Such actions have serious consequences for the national economy and revenue collection. 
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Teacher In Court For Alleged Vehicle Smuggling, Defrauding Zimbabwe Revenue Authority

A soldier based in Beitbridge narrowly cheated death after he was shot eight times by vehicle smugglers along the Limpopo River last week.
The soldier was part of a security team deployed to curb cross-border crime in the border town.
The smugglers opened fire after they were cornered at an undesignated crossing point along the Limpopo River.
ZRP Officer Commanding Beitbridge District Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo confirmed the incident but referred further questions to the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). He said:
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He was on deployment and no one else was injured. As the norm, you can get detailed facts from the army through their national spokesperson.
</blockquote>
ZNA spokesperson Alphios Makotore said he would issue a statement next week.
<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200002016/cheeky-vehicle-smugglers-shoot-zim-soldier">NewsDay</a> reported sources at Beitbridge District Hospital as saying the soldier sustained several bullet wounds and was immediately transferred to Gwanda en route to Bulawayo.

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