
Women Creates Fake Rebate Letter to Buy Toyota Aqua
A woman has been sentenced to prison for misusing the civil servants’ duty-free vehicle import scheme.
Lornah Bhobho (35), a pharmacist in the Ministry of Health and Child Care from Chikanga, Mutare, appeared in the Mutare Magistrates’ Court facing fraud charges.
The court heard that in March 2023, Bhobho purchased a Toyota Aqua and then created a fake rebate letter, complete with a forged ZIMRA reference number.
The counterfeit document falsely claimed she had authorization from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to import the vehicle duty-free.
This fraudulent act deprived the state of a staggering ZWL$4,264,625.17 in revenue.
Bhobho was found guilty and fined US$400. She faces the prospect of 2 months behind bars if she fails to pay the fine.
Women Creates Fake Rebate Letter to Buy Toyota Aqua
Civil servants and employees of service commissions who do not receive a condition-of-service vehicle as part of their package are permitted to import a car duty-free.
ZIMRA Agent & Civil Servant Fabricate Rebate Letters
To qualify, civil servants must have been in government employment for at least 10 years, and the vehicle cannot be more than 10 years old from the date of manufacture.
For public health workers employed by the Health Services Board or grant-aided health facilities, including junior doctors, the required service period is reduced to two years.
The value of the vehicles they can import ranges from US$2,500 to US$15,000, with the higher limit applying to specialist doctors.
Additionally, recipients must keep the vehicles for five years from the date of importation and are prohibited from selling them during that time.