HARARE – The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has confirmed the arrest of two Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) data capturer clerks, Tinotenda Maningi and Chrison Chipanda, over a fraudulent vehicle licensing scam involving more than US$1 million.
ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu said the two allegedly acted in connivance with two other suspects, Ebenezzer Zvidza and Emmanuel Mushonga, who remain at large, and manipulated the VID’s computerised licensing system to fraudulently issue learner’s licences and certificates of competency to approximately 500 individuals who had neither undergone the mandatory competency tests nor met the legal requirements.
Mlevu said investigations further revealed that the accused had unlawfully accessed and manipulated electronic user accounts belonging to other VID officers to process and authorise fraudulent transactions, concealing their identities and compromising audit trails.
She said they are accused of generating fake official payment receipts falsely indicating that statutory licensing fees had been paid into government accounts.
“Instead of directing applicants to pay through official Government channels, the accused allegedly solicited and received bribes ranging from US$200 to over US$500 per applicant,” Mlevu said.
Investigations also revealed that the accused worked with accomplices at the Central Vehicle Registry to facilitate the fraudulent processing of documents, with a significant number of beneficiaries reportedly being foreign nationals, Mlevu said.
The accused appeared at the Harare magistrates court on July 30, 2026, and were remanded in custody to August 4.
