Two ZIMRA Officers Arrested in Chatunga Mugabe Luxury Car Investigation

By Simba Zimunya

Two Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) officers stationed at Plumtree Border Post have been arrested over allegations that they fraudulently processed the exit of two luxury vehicles linked to an investigation involving Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of the late former President Robert Mugabe.

The officers, identified as Edwin Mhondiwa Chabuda (43) and Upenyu Chaurura (51), were arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on allegations of criminal abuse of duty as public officers.

The case involves a South African-registered Lamborghini Urus and a Mercedes-Benz GLE 53, which were seized by ZACC investigators at Brompton Guest Lodge in Newlands, Harare, on 3 November 2026.

Officers Accused of Falsifying Vehicle Exit Records

According to investigations by ZACC's Special Operations Unit, the two officers allegedly processed the vehicles for exit through Plumtree Border Post without physically inspecting them.

The alleged conduct violated ZIMRA's Standard Operating Procedures, which require the appropriate verification of vehicles and customs documentation during border clearance.

Investigators reportedly established that the vehicles had entered Zimbabwe under Temporary Import Permits but remained in the country despite official records indicating that they had exited.

The Lamborghini, which reportedly entered Zimbabwe in June, was recorded as having left the country on 12 July.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE 53, which reportedly entered Zimbabwe on 12 July, was recorded as having exited on 10 October.

However, ZACC investigators later found both vehicles at the Newlands property in Harare.

Luxury Vehicles Reportedly Kept at Harare Lodge

The investigation found that the vehicles had allegedly been kept at Number 6A Brompton Road, Brompton Guest Lodge, for more than a month.

ZACC's findings indicated that the vehicles had no valid Temporary Import Permits or official entry records supporting their continued presence in the country.

The commission subsequently seized the two vehicles during an operation on the evening of 3 November.

The alleged irregularities have raised questions about the effectiveness of border clearance procedures and the controls governing foreign-registered vehicles entering Zimbabwe under temporary import arrangements.

Chatunga Mugabe and Four Others Face Separate Assault Allegations

The vehicle investigation previously attracted national attention after Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe and four other men were arrested following an alleged assault on a ZACC investigator during the seizure operation.

The four other men were identified as Munashe Mubawu, Terrence Johannes Chinyemba, Fredson Peter and Solomon Pamire.

Police said the five were arrested following the alleged attack on the commission's investigator and subsequently appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court.

The assault allegations form a separate criminal matter from the charges now facing the two ZIMRA officers.

Authorities have not established in court the individual roles of the five men in the alleged vehicle importation irregularities.

ZIMRA Faces Scrutiny Over Border Controls

The arrests have brought renewed attention to the procedures used to monitor foreign-registered vehicles entering and leaving Zimbabwe.

Temporary Import Permits allow qualifying foreign-registered vehicles to enter the country for a limited period, subject to customs requirements and the conditions attached to the permits.

The alleged falsification of exit records, if established in court, would expose weaknesses in the verification systems designed to prevent vehicles from remaining in the country unlawfully.

ZIMRA has reportedly introduced tighter controls on Temporary Import Permits as authorities seek to prevent similar cases of suspected border fraud.

The Case Moves Towards the Courts

Chabuda and Chaurura are expected to appear before the Plumtree Magistrates' Court in connection with the criminal abuse of duty allegations.

The case will test the allegations that official border records were manipulated to create the impression that the two luxury vehicles had left Zimbabwe.

The arrests also raise broader questions about accountability within public institutions and the role of border officials in safeguarding the country's revenue collection systems.

The two officers remain accused persons and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.