The appellant was employed by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) as a Loss Control Officer and was acting Supervisor at the Scanner Unit. On 23 December 2014, at Beitbridge Border Post, a vehicle consisting of a horse and two trailers carrying cargo belonging to Turkey Trading (Pvt) Ltd had been duly cleared by ZIMRA officials through a registered clearing agent, ASB Freight Services (Pvt) Ltd. All customs clearance procedures had been completed and duty had been paid. Before the vehicle could leave Beitbridge, the appellant intercepted it and verbally directed his co-worker to ensure the vehicle and cargo were taken to the ZIMRA Container Depot. The appellant failed to issue any paperwork indicating why the vehicle and consignment had been impounded and refused to cooperate when requested to provide explanations. He did not make the required entries in the ZIMRA electronic system or endorse the bill of entry as required by operating procedures. Despite spirited efforts and correspondence, the owner could not obtain release of the vehicle, trailers and goods until 14 January 2015 when a High Court order was obtained. The appellant and his co-accused were charged with Criminal abuse of duty as a Public Officer under s 174(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The appeal against conviction was dismissed. The trial court's conviction for Criminal abuse of duty as a Public Officer under s 174(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and the sentence (a fine of $700 or 6 months imprisonment in default, plus 5 months imprisonment wholly suspended on conditions of good behavior) were upheld.
Where a public officer breaches his prescribed duties in a manner that causes prejudice to another person, the presumption under s 174(2) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act applies, namely that the officer acted for the purpose of showing disfavour to that person unless the contrary is proved. A customs official who impounds property without following required procedures (such as recording reasons in the official system, making endorsements on relevant documents, and providing clear instructions) and refuses to cooperate in obtaining release of the property, acts contrary to duty and commits criminal abuse of office under s 174(1)(a) where such conduct causes prejudice to the owners. Absolution by an employer at a disciplinary hearing does not absolve a public officer of criminal liability for the same conduct.
The court expressed surprise that the State had initially filed a concession under s 35 of the High Court Act indicating that the conviction was not supported, given that all the factual findings were not disputed and the evidence clearly supported the conviction. This suggests that the State's initial concession was not well-founded. The court's characterization of the appellant's conduct as "malicious" and "inexplicable" indicates judicial disapproval of arbitrary exercise of official powers, though this characterization was not strictly necessary for the legal finding of breach of duty.
This case clarifies the scope of duties and criminal liability of public officers, particularly customs officials, in Zimbabwe. It establishes that public officers must follow prescribed operating procedures and that deviation from such procedures which causes prejudice to citizens can constitute criminal abuse of duty. The case affirms that the statutory presumption under s 174(2) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act will apply where a public officer's breach of duty causes prejudice, shifting the burden to the officer to prove he did not act for the purpose of showing disfavour. It also establishes that absolution by an employer at a disciplinary hearing does not affect criminal liability for the same conduct. The judgment reinforces accountability standards for public officials and protects citizens from arbitrary and malicious exercise of official powers.