ZACC Arrests Five Airport Officials Accused Of Taking Bribes To Let Foreigners Bypass Border Checks

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested five officials stationed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport over allegations that they demanded and received bribes from travellers in exchange for allowing them to bypass mandatory border clearance procedures.

The suspects, who include two police detectives and three officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, were nabbed following a joint operation involving ZACC and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).

They are expected to appear before the Harare Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 12, 2026, facing charges of criminal abuse of duty as public officers.

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CCTV Footage Leads To Arrests

According to The Herald, the investigation began after ZIMRA alerted ZACC on November 9, 2026, to alleged corruption involving officials and other stakeholders operating at the airport.

ZIMRA invited anti-corruption officers to examine footage from its Command Centre in Harare, which monitors activities at the country’s border posts.

The recordings allegedly captured individuals suspected of being airport officials collecting money from passengers arriving in Zimbabwe, particularly those aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

After reviewing the footage, officers from the two organisations went to the airport, where they identified and arrested the five suspects.

Searches carried out following the arrests reportedly uncovered cash in several currencies in the suspects’ pockets and handbags.

Five Officials Identified

The arrested officials are:

• Ncube Sithabiso (47), a detective sergeant with the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

• Mbira Aquisilia (40), a detective constable.

• Norman Chepi (45), an inspector with the Ministry of Agriculture.

• Danda Ratidzo (48), a plant health assistant.

• Ngwenya Tafadzwa (44), a plant health assistant.

The money allegedly recovered from them included US$1 061, 700 Chinese yuan, 10 000 Tanzanian shillings, 60 UAE dirhams, R10, five euros, 10 000 Rwandan francs and 1 000 Congolese francs.

Travellers Allegedly Allowed To Bypass Border Checks

Investigations reportedly established that the suspects were giving preferential treatment to foreign nationals by allowing them to enter Zimbabwe without presenting the required documents or having their luggage subjected to mandatory searches.

In return, they allegedly collected money from the travellers to help them avoid the prescribed immigration and border clearance procedures.

The five are facing charges under Section 174 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, which deals with criminal abuse of duty by public officers.