A Zimbabwean businessman, Tawanda Hainadzwi, has been arrested in Portugal for allegedly stealing over a million litres of fuel worth $743,600, destined for a government ministry.
Hainadzwi, who operated a fuel distribution company called Eptha Energy, allegedly diverted the fuel after receiving it from Addax Energy in 2021.
According to the police, Hainadzwi and his wife, Shungu Mwashaireni Hainadzwi, jointly operated Eptha Energy, which had entered into an agreement with Addax Energy to deliver two million litres of fuel to an unnamed government ministry.
However, the company allegedly failed to deliver the fuel, instead diverting it and ceasing operations.
The scam was discovered when Addax Energy approached the government for payment, prompting the company to file a police report in 2022.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) then engaged Interpol for assistance, leading to Hainadzwi’s arrest on July 9, 2025.
The ZRP has confirmed that extradition proceedings are now underway to bring Hainadzwi back to Zimbabwe for trial.
The arrest is seen as a significant breakthrough in the fight against corruption and economic crimes in the country.
This case highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating crime, particularly in cases where suspects flee the country to avoid prosecution.
The ZRP’s efforts to work with Interpol have paid off, and it is expected that Hainadzwi will face justice in Zimbabwe.
