A sophisticated smuggling syndicate has been uncovered using the name of Sean Mnangagwa, son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to bypass customs procedures and illegally import goods into Zimbabwe.

The government has issued a stern warning to individuals exploiting their proximity to the First Family for criminal activities and to those fraudulently invoking the names of family members. Authorities are prepared to enforce severe legal consequences for such actions, which will not be tolerated.

Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr. George Charamba, informed The Sunday Mail about the potential tightening of protocols for accessing the First Family. This measure aims to balance public accessibility with the protection of the family’s integrity amid rising abuse of their names for illicit purposes.

“It has come to the notice of the Office of the President and Cabinet that there are some criminals who are abusing the names of members of the First Family to do all sorts of unlawful things, including smuggling goods through various ports of entry,” Charamba said. “The latest victim has been Sean Mnangagwa, whose name has been dropped by these criminals in order to ensure that they secure safe passage for their contraband, thereby dodging rules of the country. That conduct is criminal and makes the perpetrators very liable.”