Munyaradzi Doma
Under-fire former director of state residences Douglas Tapfuma allegedly used President Mnangagwa’s special duty free code to import two vehicles for his personal use, the Harare Magistrates’ Court has heard.
Tapfuma is accused of corruptly acquiring duty-free certificates to import personal vehicles on pretext that they were for the State Residents Department.
Innocent Muranganwa, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority’s declaration processing centre manager, said two of the bills of entry showed that the President’s code had been used to import a Toyota Hiace and a Honda Accord.
The code allegedly used by Tapfuma is said to be only reserved for the importation of the President’s goods. كازينو العاب
“I discovered that two of the vehicles were cleared as belonging to the President and the other six to Government,” he said while testifying in court Thursday morning. عدد اوراق الكوتشينة
Muranganwa said the other six cars had been imported using a code which is used specifically for Government vehicles.
He further alleged that the other vehicles imported were a Toyota Hiace, Toyota Altezza, two Honda Fits, Nissan Tiida and BMW318i which were all liable to pay duty. yyy online5
Prosecutor Clement Chimbari alleges that April 10, 2018, Tapfuma bought two personal mini buses from South Africa on the pretext that they were Government vehicles.
He further alleged that on April 17, Tapfuma assigned Bonani Ganyane from the transport section in the State Residences department to go to Beitbridge and facilitate clearance of the vehicles on behalf of the department using report order forms.
He said the vehicles were cleared.
Tapfuma ordered Ganyane to hand over the vehicles to Vongaishe Mupereri who was the legislator for Mbizo.
On April 20, Tapfuma applied to the Chief Secretary in the office of the President and Cabinet requesting for duty free certificates under the President’s Department.
He was given the certificates and reportedly applied for duty exemption for the vehicles at ZIMRA.
Tapfuma reportedly registered the vehicles at Central Vehicles Registry under the President’s Department but started using the vehicles for his personal use.
The vehicles were liable to US$3 180 duty, it is said.
Tapfuma allegedly bought other personal vehicles in June 2018 from South Africa and in the same month he assigned Cousin Gwanyanya who was acting Transport Manager in the Department of State Residences to clear the vehicles at ZIMRA Beitbridge.
He gave Gwanyanya written requests on official Department of State Residences’ letterhead addressed to ZIMRA regional manager authorising him to clear his personal vehicles.
It is also alleged that Gwanyanya cleared the vehicles in Beitbridge and delivered them to Tapfuma at State House.
Tapfuma also applied for duty free certificates.
