Zanu PF politburo member Andy Mhlanga faces trial on August 13 for allegedly orchestrating a smuggling operation that cost the state US$78,880 in lost revenue. The former Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association secretary-general stands accused alongside nine accomplices of importing 17.6 tonnes of T-shirts while falsely declaring them as agricultural equipment. His son, Perfect, appears among the co-accused in this Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission investigation. Court records show the scheme began when Jeed Investments Private Limited purchased 1,066 cartons of T-shirts from Slovenia in October 2024.
The shipment reached Port Beira in February before conspirators allegedly altered documentation to avoid proper duties. Associate Jetro Mavangwa reportedly engaged Secure Freight and Shipping Company to change the bill of lading details, substituting a private voluntary organization as the new consignee. Director Norest Marara then created fraudulent paperwork listing the cargo as duty-exempt drip irrigation equipment from a Chinese supplier. Zimbabwe Revenue Authority systems accepted the falsified documents in April, allowing clearance without physical inspection. Police later recovered T-shirt boxes from Mhlanga's Westgate property and his Bramfield Farm in Nyabira.
The shipment reached Port Beira in February before conspirators allegedly altered documentation to avoid proper duties. Associate Jetro Mavangwa reportedly engaged Secure Freight and Shipping Company to change the bill of lading details, substituting a private voluntary organization as the new consignee. Director Norest Marara then created fraudulent paperwork listing the cargo as duty-exempt drip irrigation equipment from a Chinese supplier. Zimbabwe Revenue Authority systems accepted the falsified documents in April, allowing clearance without physical inspection. Police later recovered T-shirt boxes from Mhlanga's Westgate property and his Bramfield Farm in Nyabira.
