Mozambican Driver Arrested After Smuggling Employer’s Kombi Into Zimbabwe

A Mozambican national has been remanded in custody by the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court after allegedly stealing his employer’s Toyota Hiace and attempting to smuggle it into Zimbabwe.

The accused, Zacarius Agy Garcez Amade (38), appeared before the court on Monday and was remanded to 29 August 2025 pending trial.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the incident occurred on 11 August 2025 in Tete, Mozambique, where Amade was employed as a driver.

He had been tasked with transporting school children using the company’s Toyota Hiace and was instructed to return the vehicle to his employer’s residence by 7:30 PM.

Instead, Amade allegedly diverted the vehicle and drove towards Zimbabwe.

To facilitate the border crossing at Beitbridge, he is accused of falsifying documents, including an authorisation letter, a Temporary Import Permit (TIP), and a Zimborders receipt.

The vehicle’s owner reported the matter to Mozambican police around 8 PM, prompting a cross-border alert to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).

Amade was later intercepted at Beitbridge, where the vehicle was recovered.

The ZRP also seized several exhibits, including the forged documents and the vehicle’s registration book.

On 15 August, the owner travelled to Zimbabwe and positively identified the vehicle, which is valued at 561,000 Mozambican meticals.

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