Two ZIMRA Officers Arrested Over Chatunga Mugabe’s Lamborghini Urus and Mercedes-Benz GLE 53
Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption investigators have arrested two ZIMRA officials stationed at Plumtree Border Post over allegations that they falsified customs exit records for two luxury vehicles linked to Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe.
Zimbabwe’s widening investigation into the alleged illegal retention of foreign-registered luxury vehicles has taken another significant turn, with two officials from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) arrested over suspected customs-related corruption.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) reportedly detained the two revenue officers stationed at Plumtree Border Post on November 8, 2026. They are accused of manipulating official border records to show that two high-value vehicles had left Zimbabwe when, investigators allege, the cars were still inside the country.
The vehicles at the centre of the investigation are a black, South African-registered Lamborghini Urus and a Mercedes-Benz GLE 53, both reportedly linked to Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the youngest son of the late former President Robert Mugabe.
The allegations have raised questions about the monitoring of Temporary Importation Permits, the integrity of border clearance systems and the potential consequences of alleged misconduct by public officials entrusted with protecting national revenue.
Who Are the Two ZIMRA Officers Arrested?
The arrests have brought the conduct of border personnel into focus, particularly the procedures used to verify the movement of foreign-registered vehicles entering and leaving Zimbabwe.
According to the reported investigation, ZACC's Special Operations Unit arrested the two officers on November 8, 2026. They are accused of criminal abuse of duty as public officers in connection with the alleged falsification of vehicle exit records.
Accused Officers and Their Positions
A revenue officer stationed at Plumtree Border Post. He is accused of facilitating the clearance of foreign-registered luxury vehicles without the required physical verification.
A senior revenue officer at Plumtree Border Post. He is accused of participating in the alleged fraudulent recording of vehicle exits from Zimbabwe.
The allegations centre on whether the officers improperly used their positions to make official records reflect vehicle movements that investigators say did not actually take place.
Both individuals remain accused persons. The allegations must be tested through the legal process, and neither should be regarded as guilty unless convicted by a competent court.
How the Alleged ZIMRA Border Exit Scheme Worked
At the centre of the case are Temporary Importation Permits (TIPs), which regulate the temporary entry and permitted stay of foreign-registered vehicles in Zimbabwe.
Investigators reportedly established that the two luxury vehicles had entered Zimbabwe under Temporary Importation Permits. Instead of being physically presented at a border crossing when their permitted stays came to an end, the vehicles allegedly remained in the country while official records indicated that they had departed.
If established in court, such conduct would raise serious questions about the effectiveness of border verification systems and the safeguards designed to prevent customs duty evasion.
Why Temporary Importation Permits MatterTIPs help authorities monitor foreign-registered vehicles temporarily brought into Zimbabwe. Accurate entry and exit records are important for ensuring that vehicles comply with the conditions of their permits and applicable customs requirements.
Newlands Raid: Chatunga Mugabe and the Luxury Vehicle Seizure
The Plumtree arrests are connected to an earlier operation in Harare, where ZACC investigators reportedly moved to seize the two vehicles at a property in Newlands.
On November 3, 2026, ZACC's Special Operations Unit reportedly raided the Newlands property at approximately 6:30 pm. The operation was aimed at impounding the luxury vehicles as part of the investigation into their alleged customs irregularities.
The operation reportedly escalated after investigators encountered resistance, resulting in separate allegations of assault against a ZACC officer involved in the seizure.
Why the Investigation MattersThe allegations place the spotlight on the relationship between customs enforcement, public-sector accountability and the protection of government revenue. The legal proceedings will determine whether the accused individuals committed the offences alleged against them.
What the Case Means for ZIMRA and Border Controls
The alleged manipulation of vehicle exit records raises wider concerns about how Zimbabwe monitors foreign-registered vehicles operating within its borders.
Border agencies rely on accurate documentation, physical verification where required and reliable electronic records to track vehicles entering and leaving the country. Any weaknesses in these systems can create opportunities for irregularities, including the possible evasion of customs obligations.
The reported case also highlights the importance of internal controls, audit trails and independent oversight within public institutions. If officials are found to have deliberately falsified records, the consequences could extend beyond the individuals involved to questions about institutional supervision and accountability.
ZIMRA's handling of Temporary Importation Permits and the verification of foreign-registered vehicles will therefore remain an important area of public interest as the investigation and court proceedings develop.
ZIMRA Arrests: Key Questions and Answers
The two Plumtree-based ZIMRA officers, Edwin Mhondiwa Chabuda and Upenyu Chaurura, were reportedly arrested on November 8, 2026, by ZACC's Special Operations Unit.
The vehicles are a black South African-registered Lamborghini Urus, registration TL 00 GP, and a Mercedes-Benz GLE 53, registration NB 76 MM GP. Both are reportedly linked to Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe.
They are accused of criminal abuse of duty as public officers, allegedly involving the falsification of official records to show that the two luxury vehicles had exited Zimbabwe.
The vehicles were reportedly located at Brompton Guest Lodge, Number 6A Brompton Road, in Newlands, Harare.
The reported charge is criminal abuse of duty as a public officer under Zimbabwean law. The prosecution must establish the allegations through the courts.
The reported court schedule states that Upenyu Chaurura is expected to appear at Plumtree Magistrates Court on November 10, 2026, while Edwin Mhondiwa Chabuda is expected to appear on November 11, 2026. Readers should check for subsequent court updates, as schedules can change.
Editorial note: This report concerns allegations and ongoing legal proceedings. The accused persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty before a competent court.
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