A Roman Catholic priest from Embakwe Mission, Qinisela Wilfred Moyo, has been arraigned in court alongside Ministry of Education employee Martin Nleya on fraud charges after allegedly creating fraudulent documentation to evade import duties on a school bus.

The pair appeared before Plumtree magistrate Joshua Nembaware, who granted them bail of US$100 each. Nleya serves as the School Development Committee (SDC) Treasurer at Embakwe High School, where Moyo also works.

According to prosecutors, the case stems from a legitimate loan application made by school headmaster Martin Ndlovu to ZB Bank Plumtree in 2024 for the purchase of a bus. After the loan’s approval, payment was made to a South African supplier on September 26, 2024.

However, investigators allege that to circumvent import taxes, Moyo and Nleya fabricated documentation claiming the vehicle was donated rather than purchased. This forged letter was submitted to education authorities to obtain a Duty-Free Exemption Certificate, which was subsequently issued on October 1, 2024.

The fraudulent documentation allowed Nleya to import the minibus through Beitbridge Border Post without paying the US$18,000 in duties assessed by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), directly resulting in financial loss to the government.

Both defendants face charges under Section 136 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Selestine Madziwa is handling the prosecution of the case.