Harare – The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested Gan Zhewen, Lin Hui, Bi Yanyan and Arnold Mlambo for import duty fraud.
The four allegedly imported 1 342 cartons of suitcase accessories and falsified import documents claiming they were importing fertiliser distributors and steel tubes in order to benefit from duty exemptions for agricultural imports.
The consignment was cleared without inspection, with the accused persons only paying USD 4 531.00 in Value Added Tax (VAT), prejudicing the State of USD 163 550.00 in import duty and VAT.
ZIMRA uncovered the scandal, impounded the goods, and reported the matter to ZACC, leading to the arrest of the accused persons.
They have since appeared at Harare Magistrates Court and were remanded to 23 June 2025 on USD 150.00 bail.
Last week, a Chinese owned Jiangxi Risheng company has been convicted for under-declaring employee numbers to the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), prejudicing the state of close to USD 100 000.00.
Meng Quangyuan, representing Jiangxi Risheng Pvt Ltd located at Detroop Mine in Chikuti, Mashonaland West, appeared at Chinhoyi Magistrate Court and was charged with violating provisions of the NSSA Act [Chapter 17:04].
In another case, a Chinese businessman who built a brick durawall on top of a railway line in Harare was forced by Harare City Council to demolish the illegal perimeter wall.
Zimbabwe hosts hundreds of Chinese firms that have interests in mining, retail, agriculture and construction among many other sectors.
The Chinese have been found flouting Zimbabwe laws to the chagrin of ordinary people who feel the Chinese operate above the law with the blessing of top officials in Harare.
Dozens of Chinese nationals face criminal cases at the magistrates courts across Zimbabwe.