HARARE – The allure of a gleaming, imported luxury vehicle often represents a significant milestone for many Zimbabweans, a symbol of aspiration and hard-earned success. Yet, for over 20 hopeful car seekers, this dream morphed into a devastating nightmare, ensnaring them in a sophisticated import scam orchestrated by Hezy Motors Logistics Private Limited. At the epicentre of this unfolding scandal is Hazel Silibaziso Mafu, the company’s director, who has now vanished, leaving behind a trail of empty bank accounts, shattered dreams, and a police manhunt that stretches across the nation.
This investigative piece delves beyond the immediate police pursuit to uncover the intricate web of deceit spun by Hezy Motors. It examines how the company managed to operate brazenly for months, cultivating a veneer of legitimacy through aggressive social media campaigns and the endorsement of online ‘influencers’. The narrative will feature exclusive testimonies from victims who have lost their life savings, including a civil servant whose payment for a vehicle led to the discovery that the car never even existed. More critically, this investigation will probe the ‘hidden details’ of how Mafu allegedly circumvented standard regulatory checks at the border and explore the persistent whispers of ‘inside help’ within Zimbabwe’s vehicle registration departments. This article serves as a stark cautionary tale, documenting the perils of the ‘import-on-demand’ culture that has become a fertile breeding ground for white-collar criminals in Harare’s affluent suburbs.
The Modus Operandi: A Calculated Deception
Hazel Silibaziso Mafu’s alleged scheme was meticulously crafted, preying on the fervent desire for affordable, high-quality imported vehicles. Hezy Motors, under Mafu’s direction, heavily marketed its services across various platforms, including social media, electronic, and print media. The company promised competitive prices and swift delivery times, drawing in a multitude of clients. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) stated that Mafu “misrepresented that she had the capacity to source and deliver motor vehicles within specified timeframes at competitive prices”.
Once clients were enticed, the next step in the deception involved collecting full payments, predominantly in United States dollars. Victims, eager to secure their dream cars, often handed over substantial sums, sometimes their entire life savings or retirement packages. One victim reportedly lost US$78,000 to the scheme. After receiving payment, Mafu would then provide clients with what appeared to be legitimate shipping documents. However, these documents were later discovered to be fake, designed merely to pacify clients and buy time as the vehicles never materialised. So far, a total of 20 complainants have reported cases to the police, with the total defrauded amount standing at US$155,211.
The Allure of Legitimacy: Social Media and Influencers
Hezy Motors was not an obscure operation; it had cultivated a significant public profile, particularly through its extensive advertising campaigns on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Mafu herself was portrayed as a dynamic and successful entrepreneur, with platforms like “The Nikki Show” featuring her inspiring “rags to riches” story. This polished public image played a crucial role in building trust and attracting unsuspecting clients. The company’s social media presence created an illusion of reliability, making it difficult for potential victims to discern the fraudulent nature of the business. Before her disappearance, Mafu even attempted to deflect accusations, stating, “You went on Facebook and told the world I scammed you US$78,000. And your only evidence is a Crime Watch Zim post? I am not going anywhere”. This defiant stance, however, proved to be short-lived.
A Troubling Past: Military Ties and Rebate Scams
Investigations into Mafu’s background have revealed a troubling history that predates the Hezy Motors scandal. It has emerged that Mafu was a member of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), from which she retired in January 2024. While her military background is not inherently criminal, some observers suggest that her past connections may have previously aided her in evading serious legal repercussions. This suspicion is not unfounded, as Mafu was arrested in June 2023 alongside an associate, Emmanuel Nyagano, by anti-corruption authorities working in conjunction with the tax agency.
The charges then involved the fraudulent use of civil servant duty-free rebate documents. In Zimbabwe, civil servants are entitled to import one vehicle without paying duty, a scheme designed to assist public sector employees. Mafu and Nyagano were accused of forging documents using the names of government workers without their knowledge, importing vehicles duty-free, registering them under these unsuspecting individuals, and subsequently using them as taxis. Authorities estimated that the government lost thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes due to these illicit activities. Several vehicles linked to this wider investigation were later seized, highlighting a pattern of exploiting regulatory loopholes for personal gain.
The Broader Landscape of Fraud: A System Under Strain
The Hezy Motors scam is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a larger, more pervasive problem within Zimbabwe’s vehicle import sector. The ‘import-on-demand’ culture, fuelled by a high demand for luxury vehicles in affluent areas of Harare such as Milton Park and Borrowdale, has created a fertile ground for fraudulent activities. With no local manufacturing, importation remains the primary means of acquiring vehicles, making the system vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous middlemen.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) have been actively combating widespread abuse of the civil servant rebate scheme. Recent years have seen significant busts, with over 485 vehicles identified as fraudulently registered by ZIMRA. In one notable incident in 2024, 250 vehicles were seized, and in January 2026, 16 cars and US$37,000 were forfeited to the state due to similar scams. These figures underscore the scale of the problem and the substantial revenue losses incurred by the government.
Furthermore, the National Risk Assessment for 2024/2025 identified fraud as a major financial risk, estimating losses of approximately US$500 million. Car dealerships, in particular, have been flagged as high-risk sectors for money laundering and fraud. The Public Service Minister, Edgar Moyo, has even warned that the civil servant rebate benefit could be withdrawn entirely due to the rampant abuse, indicating the severity of the issue.
The Question of ‘Inside Help’
A recurring question in cases of large-scale import fraud is how such schemes manage to bypass official checks and balances. There are persistent allegations of ‘inside help’ within vehicle registration departments and ZIMRA, suggesting that some officials may be complicit in facilitating the clearance of vehicles with fake documents. The case of the
‘rebate ranger’ – an ex-official who ran a similar scheme – further illustrates how individuals with insider knowledge can exploit systemic weaknesses. These allegations point to a deeper institutional vulnerability that allows fraudsters like Mafu to operate with apparent impunity, at least for a time.
The Hunt Continues: A Call for Justice
The Zimbabwe Republic Police have launched a full-scale manhunt for Hazel Silibaziso Mafu, urging anyone with information to come forward. Commissioner Paul Nyathi stated, “Anyone with information which may assist in locating the suspect is urged to report to any nearest police station or contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631, WhatsApp 0712 800 197, or CID Commercial Crimes Division Northern Region on (0242) 703030”. Meanwhile, five of Mafu’s employees – Kelly Moyo, Melody Karakupa, Bridget Tanyanyiwa, Paidamoyo Sunhwa, and another – have already appeared in court, facing fraud charges related to the US$155,211 scam. Their involvement highlights the broader network that enabled Hezy Motors to operate, even as their director remains at large.