THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has, with effect from August 28, suspended two of its Beitbridge senior managers and another manager from dog section.
The suspension of Batsirai Chadzingwa, the regional manager of Beitbridge, John Miles Cochrane, the bonds and State warehouse manager at Beitbridge and Nhlanhla Ndlovu, who manages the dog section, was announced through a circular dated August 28 from acting Zimra Commissioner-General, Happias Kuzvinzwa to all staff.
Zimra spokesman, Canisio Mudzimu yesterday confirmed the suspensions, but refused to shed light on the reasons for that action.
“The question you have asked concerns contracts of employment between the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and its members of staff. As you appreciate, contracts of employment are confidential in nature. I am, therefore, not at liberty to comment on the issues you have raised,” he said in a written response to questions.
Unconfirmed reports, however, suggest Chadzingwa and Cochrane could have been suspended in connection with allegations of failing to arrest rampant transit smuggling using electronic tracker devices used to monitor vehicles in transit.
Zimra board chairperson, Willia Bonyongwe was quoted in the media this week accusing customs and excise officers of being responsible for the loss of millions of dollars to transit smuggling.
Transit smuggling is the dumping of goods, which are imported and declared as in transit — for which duty is not levied — that are later dumped on the local market.
Millions of litres of fuel have been smuggled in the same manner.