In 2024, a joint operation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has led to the recovery of 250 vehicles that were illegally imported through the abuse of a tax rebate scheme for civil servants introduced in 2019.
The civil servant motor vehicle rebate scheme was an incentive introduced by the government to allow civil servants with 10 or more years of service to import motor vehicles duty-free. However, it emerged that many car dealers in Harare were importing vehicles duty-free using the names of civil servants, who would then receive a payment for allowing their names to be used to evade customs duty.
This fraudulent scheme had deprived the state of millions of dollars in revenue, as people who should have paid duty were now importing cars for free. In some cases, the civil servants imported vehicles for relatives and other third parties, who would then pay the civil servants a "token of appreciation" ranging from $700 to $1,500 depending on the vehicle.
While the investigation is ongoing, the authorities have already recovered over 250 vehicles. ZACC Commissioner Chaibva attributed these successes to enhanced collaboration between government agencies, guided by the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. He stressed the importance of interagency coordination and the need to work together to serve the citizens, who bear the brunt of the effects of corruption.
Past successes, such as the joint investigation into corruption at the Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS), have demonstrated the power of unity and coordinated action in the fight against corruption. Going forward, Commissioner Chaibva said the authorities remain committed to further strengthening collaboration to curb corruption at all levels.
