The Empire of Dust: Inside the US$625,000 and ZiG1.2 million ‘Mbinga’ Car Import Scandal
HARARE – The shimmering lights of Osaka, Japan, and the high-fashion streets of Rome and Paris seem a lifetime away from the sterile, wood-panelled confines of the Harare Magistrates’ Court. For Hazel Silibaziso Mafu, the 35-year-old founder and chief executive of Hezy Motors Logistics, the transition from a celebrated “mbinga” — a colloquial Shona term for the ultra-wealthy and flamboyant — to a prisoner in the dock has been swift, public, and profoundly revealing.
Mafu, who celebrates her 36th birthday this Saturday, is currently at the centre of one of Zimbabwe’s most staggering vehicle importation scandals in recent memory. Accused of orchestrating an elaborate fraudulent scheme that has left 76 families in financial ruin, the award-winning businesswoman is alleged to have swindled unsuspecting clients of a combined US$624,958.96 and ZiG1,275,878.35. As the court proceedings unfold, the case has become a lightning rod for public anger, exposing a systemic vulnerability in the nation’s car importation sector and the seductive power of social media-curated success.
The Facade of Success
To understand how so many individuals were led into this financial quagmire, one must look at the image Mafu meticulously crafted. In Zimbabwe’s digital age, trust is often bought with the currency of “likes” and “followers,” and Mafu was a master of the trade. Her social media accounts were a masterclass in aspirational living, blending business achievements with high-octane luxury.
In 2025 alone, Mafu claimed to have won 11 awards, including the prestigious Outstanding Young CEO silver award. She was a regular fixture on the corporate speaking circuit, often invited to radio shows and women’s empowerment forums to share her “rags-to-riches” story. Her book, Dust Before Diamonds, was marketed as a raw account of resilience and bold leadership in a male-dominated industry.
“I am grateful to every organisation that recognised me, as well as the partners who joined us along the way,” she posted following her award wins. “Your trust and collaboration have been invaluable. I look forward to continuing our successful collaborations in 2025 and beyond.”
This institutional validation acted as a powerful endorsement. When a “Young CEO of the Year” promises to import a vehicle, the public believes them. It is this profound breach of trust that has caused such significant distress among the victims.
The Flight and the Mockery
The path to the courtroom was far from direct. As the walls began to close in earlier this year, Mafu reportedly went into hiding. In February 2026, while police were actively seeking her for questioning, four of her employees appeared in court facing fraud charges. Mafu, however, remained at large.
The State alleges that Mafu slipped out of the country on 19 March 2026, departing through Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. Just weeks later, while the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) were searching for her, she appeared to mock the authorities by posting a photograph on Facebook from Osaka, Japan.
“On the other side of the world closing deals and building an empire,” she told her followers on 16 April, attaching a photograph of herself standing with two businessmen. “This journey has not been easy, but every sacrifice, every sleepless night, every door that was slammed in my face built the woman standing here today. To everyone who believed in me, prayed for me, cheered for me quietly and loudly THANK YOU.”
The Milton Park “Crime Scene”
The scale of the alleged deception is breath-taking. Prosecutors allege that Mafu turned her offices in Milton Park, Harare, into a “crime scene” where she deceived scores of clients. Through Hezy Motors Logistics, she marketed vehicle importation services across social media, electronic, and print platforms, claiming an unparalleled capacity to source and deliver vehicles from Japan at competitive prices.
Believing these representations to be genuine, individuals paid varying amounts for the purchase and delivery of vehicles. However, the State maintains that Mafu had neither the intention nor the capacity to fulfil the orders.
The investigation took a dramatic turn when detectives raided the Milton Park premises. Lead investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Richard Maravanyika, told Harare regional magistrate Jesse Kufa that they had obtained a search and seizure warrant to recover evidence. However, upon arrival, detectives intercepted a vehicle carrying electronic gadgets that were being moved from the offices.
“Investigations revealed that Hazel had ordered that the equipment be removed from the offices before the police search,” Det Sgt Maravanyika submitted. “This demonstrates her propensity to interfere with investigations and conceal evidence.”
The Tactics of Delay
Even as the police net tightened, the State alleges that Mafu continued to reach out to complainants, attempting to discourage them from pursuing criminal charges. In some instances, she promised refunds as a way of stalling legal proceedings.
The detective produced correspondence in court showing a “refund settlement plan” dated 20 April 2026. The document, between complainant Charles Tatenda Mademutsa and the finance department of Hezy Motors Logistics, proposed a refund of US$4,000. However, the prosecution argues that these plans were merely a facade to delay the inevitable.
Several complainants reported that Mafu had told them they would not receive their vehicles as long as the matter remained under police investigation — a tactic the State describes as a blatant attempt to obstruct the course of justice.
A Systemic Crisis
While the Hazel Mafu case is singular in its scale and the profile of the accused, it is part of a much larger, more troubling trend in Zimbabwe. The country’s vehicle importation sector has become something of a “Wild West,” driven by a high demand for Japanese used cars and a complex regulatory environment.
Investigations into related incidents reveal a systemic rot. Recently, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) uncovered a massive scam involving the abuse of tax rebates intended for civil servants. One individual was found to have illegally imported over 400 cars in a single year using forged rebate letters, costing the state over US$621,000 in lost revenue.
Other names have recently surfaced in similar dockets. Caution Madiro Chikonamombe, a 31-year-old Harare man, was recently arrested for the umpteenth time over a vehicle importation scam. Similarly, Clayton Mafara, another dealer, appeared in court for allegedly swindling a woman of thousands. These incidents suggest that for every high-profile “mbinga” that falls, others are waiting to exploit the same vulnerabilities.
The introduction of the ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold) currency in April 2024 has added another layer of complexity to these transactions. The fact that the charges against Mafu include over ZiG1.2 million highlights how fraudsters have adapted to the changing financial landscape, continuing to operate across both stable and volatile currencies.
The Human Cost
Beyond the staggering numbers and the tales of European holidays, there is a devastating human cost. For the 76 people duped by Hezy Motors, these were not just figures on a spreadsheet. They represented retirement packages, school fees, and the life savings of ordinary Zimbabweans.
One source, who lost over US$8,000 to the scheme, described the experience as soul-destroying. “You see someone winning awards, you see them on TV, you see them in Paris. You think, ‘This is a person I can trust with my hard-earned money.’ Then you find out it was all a show. The car never existed, the office is closed, and your money is gone.”
The State’s contention that “nothing was recovered” paints a grim picture for those hoping to recoup their losses. For many, the focus has shifted from financial recovery to the pursuit of justice.
The Long Road Ahead
Hazel Mafu was arrested last Friday after finally presenting herself to the police in the company of her lawyer, five months after the initial warrants were issued. During her time on the run, two warrants of arrest were issued against her — on 14 May and 14 July — after she failed to appear before the courts.
The State is strongly opposing bail, arguing that Mafu is a significant flight risk with a demonstrated propensity to interfere with witnesses and evidence. Det Sgt Maravanyika warned that public confidence in the justice system could be undermined if she were released, given the sheer number of complainants and the seriousness of the allegations.
“There is no official record indicating how Hazel re-entered Zimbabwe before she later presented herself to police,” the officer noted, highlighting the mysterious nature of her return from her international travels.
As the bail application continues, with cross-examination by defence counsel Editor Mavuto, the “empire” that Mafu claimed to be building appears to be nothing more than a house of cards. The cinematic lifestyle she shared on Instagram — the “fuel stops” in Rome and the “empire building” in Osaka — now serves as a haunting backdrop to a criminal trial.
For the 76 families waiting for justice, the lesson is a bitter one: in the world of high-stakes imports, not everything that glitters is gold, and sometimes, the most inspiring success stories are built on a foundation of dust.