ZACC Busts 12 in Waterfalls Sugar Scandal, Seizes 10 Tonnes in Suspected Counterfeit Operation

By Kudakwashe Ruzive

THE Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested 12 suspects following a raid at a house in Waterfalls, Harare, where approximately 10 metric tonnes of sugar were allegedly being repackaged into retail packets bearing Tongaat Hulett branding, yesterday.

The operation has raised concerns over suspected counterfeiting, fraud and the potential exploitation of unsuspecting consumers through the sale of underweight sugar packaged as genuine branded products.

ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu confirmed the arrests, saying the suspects were allegedly caught transferring bulk sugar into smaller retail packets bearing the Tongaat Hulett brand.

“The 12 were found packaging bulk sugar into retail packets bearing Tongaat Hulett branding,” Mlevu said.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were allegedly engaged in underweight packaging, with the products intended for distribution and sale through informal retail channels as genuine products.

During the raid, ZACC investigators also discovered unused 2kg packaging materials bearing suspected counterfeit branding, commercial-grade heat-sealing machines and an industrial air blower believed to have been used in the alleged repackaging operation.

The discovery of the sugar, packaging materials and specialised equipment points to a potentially organised operation that investigators will need to examine to establish its full scale, distribution network and the extent of any losses suffered by consumers or legitimate businesses.

The suspects have been identified as Lillian Mutandwa (38), Peter Kaitano (48), Brandon Mutunire (21), Philip Katiyo (26), Terence Tunhire (29), Bright Ushendibaba (20), Michael Mabharani (20), Mukundi Taninhwa (19), Solomon Mapeta (26), Jacob Sape (21), Tapiwanashe Chaitezvi (20) and Takudzwa Katedza (21).

The 12 are expected to appear in court soon to face charges of violating the Trademarks Act or, alternatively, fraud.

ZACC’s role in protecting consumers and businesses

The arrests underscore the role of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission in investigating suspected illegal activities and supporting efforts to uphold accountability, protect the public interest and safeguard the integrity of commercial transactions.

By acting on suspected illicit operations, ZACC can help expose practices that undermine fair competition, damage legitimate businesses and deprive consumers of the transparency they deserve when purchasing everyday commodities.

The recovery of approximately 10 tonnes of sugar also highlights the potential scale of the alleged operation and the importance of investigating suspected counterfeit goods before they circulate more widely in the market.

However, the full impact of the raid will depend on the outcome of investigations, the evidence gathered and any subsequent court proceedings.

The cost of fraud and forgery

Fraud and forgery involving consumer goods can have far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate financial loss suffered by a buyer. When products are allegedly repackaged using another company’s branding, consumers may pay for goods they believe come from a trusted manufacturer when their origin, weight or handling may be different from what is represented.

Underweight packaging can also mean customers receive less than they pay for, effectively undermining their purchasing power at a time when every dollar matters. If widespread, such practices can erode public confidence in retail products and make it harder for consumers to distinguish genuine goods from counterfeit ones.

For legitimate manufacturers and traders, suspected counterfeiting can damage brand reputation, divert sales, create unfair competition and impose additional costs associated with investigating and responding to misuse of their trademarks.

Fraudulent packaging can also weaken trust across the supply chain, affecting retailers who unknowingly stock questionable products and consumers who rely on accurate labelling when making purchasing decisions.

The case therefore serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying product authenticity, enforcing trademark protections and holding those responsible for proven offences accountable through due legal process.

As investigations continue, the central questions will be how the alleged operation was organised, where the sugar was intended to be sold and whether consumers or legitimate businesses had already suffered losses.

The 12 suspects remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.