Zimbabwean Fugitive Businessman, Tawanda Hairwadzi, arrested in Portugal

Harare, Zimbabwe – July 12, 2025 – The long arm of the law has finally reached Tawanda Hairwadzi, a Zimbabwean businessman arrested in Portugal on July 9, 2025, after a three-year international manhunt. His apprehension not only marks a critical turn in a high-profile fuel fraud case but also shines an uncomfortable light on the shadowy dealings of a company co-owned with his wife, Shungu Mwashaireni Hairwadzi, and its alleged theft of government property.

Our investigation delves into the intricate web spun by Eptha Energy (Private) Limited, its dealings with a global energy giant’s local affiliate, and the broader implications for public procurement in Zimbabwe.

The Anatomy of a Disappearance: Over a Million Litres Vanish

The core of this unfolding scandal dates back to 2021. Eptha Energy (Private) Limited, a registered fuel transport company co-owned by Tawanda and Shungu Mwashaireni Hairwadzi, secured a crucial subcontract. Their client was Addax Energy (Private) Limited, the Zimbabwean affiliate of the renowned Swiss-based Oryx Energies SA group. The mission: transport a staggering 2 million litres of fuel to a Zimbabwean government ministry. Eptha Energy’s role was strictly logistical – providing transport services.

Between August 1 and November 30, 2021, Addax Energy released a significant portion of this consignment – 1,040,000 litres, valued at approximately USD 743,600 – to Eptha Energy for delivery. Yet, the fuel never reached its intended destination, the Ministry of Energy and Power Development (where Soda Zhemu served as minister during part of the period the fraud occurred). Addax Energy, the complainant in this case, realised the grave discrepancy when the government ministry did not make payment, leading to their own investigation. They soon discovered that the fuel was missing and, critically, that Eptha Energy had ceased operations.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the filing of a police report by Addax Energy in September 2022, after it became clear the Hairwadzis had fled the country. An INTERPOL Red Notice was subsequently issued, culminating in Tawanda Hairwadzi’s arrest in Portugal. Extradition proceedings are now underway to bring him back to Zimbabwe to face charges of theft of trust property. Commissioner Nyathi has been unequivocal: “Both Hairwadzis are implicated,” citing their joint ownership and management of Eptha Energy. Shungu Mwashaireni Hairwadzi remains at large.

• Comprehensive Timeline: Zimbabwe’s Intersecting Controversies

  Early Roots & Foundations:

  • 1987: The Addax and Oryx Group (AOG) is founded in Geneva, Switzerland, by Jean Claude Gandur. It begins as an oil trading division.

  • 1989: AOG creates its dedicated trading arm, Addax Energy (the precursor to the trading arm of Oryx Energies). AOG also begins its downstream operations by acquiring and upgrading petroleum depots in Africa.

  • 1994: Addax Petroleum (an upstream oil exploration and production subsidiary, distinct from Addax Energy) is founded by Marc Lorenceau, an AOG partner.

  • 1999-2002: Amon Mwashaireni works as a crop breeder at the Crop Breeding Institute (CBI), Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR&SS).

  • 2002: Oryx Energies establishes its presence in South Africa, focusing on sourcing and supplying fuels. Amon Mwashaireni joins ARDA as a seed production manager.

  • 2007: Amon Mwashaireni becomes the Managing Director for ARDA Seeds (Private) Limited.

  Major Acquisitions & Political Shifts:

  • August 2009: Sinopec Group, a Chinese state-owned enterprise, completes its acquisition of Addax Petroleum for approximately USD 7.3 billion. This shifts the ownership of AOG’s former upstream assets.

  • 2011: Marry Mubaiwa marries Constantino Chiwenga.

  The Rise of Oryx Energies & Local Controversies:

  • Early 2013: AOG merges its trading and downstream operations into one integrated platform, forming Oryx Energies SA. Addax Energy (the trading arm) becomes a core part of Oryx Energies.

  • August 2013: Oryx Energies expands significantly in South Africa by acquiring BP’s LPG distribution business, solidifying its presence there through Oryx Oil South Africa (Pty) Ltd (later Oryx Gas South Africa).

  • Early 2018 (around February 15): Controversy erupts as Marry Mubaiwa, then wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, allegedly seizes the 300-hectare ARDA Seeds farm along Domboshava Road. The farm, crucial for seed production, is reportedly taken over by armed individuals and later renamed Orchid Gardens.

  • April 2018: Amid the ARDA Seeds farm controversy, Amon Mwashaireni, the ARDA Seeds Managing Director, relocates from the seized farm to ARDA’s head offices in Harare. Operations at the farm largely cease.

  • June 2019: Amon Mwashaireni is elected President of the Zimbabwe Seed Trade Association (ZSTA).

  Land Disputes, Fraud & Fugitives:

  • October 2020: Blessed Geza, a ZANU-PF Central Committee member and war veteran, allegedly purchases a 423.5-hectare piece of land from Basil Nyabadza, the former ARDA chairperson, for US$1.362 million. Geza later becomes the complainant in a land scam against Nyabadza, alleging fraud and non-delivery of title deeds.

  • Prior to August 2021: Eptha Energy (Private) Limited is established in Zimbabwe, co-owned by Shungu Mwashaireni Hairwadzi (whose maiden name is Mwashaireni) and Tawanda Hairwadzi.

  • August – November 2021: Addax Energy (Private) Limited (the Zimbabwean affiliate of Oryx Energies) contracts Eptha Energy to transport 1,040,000 litres of fuel (valued at approximately USD 743,600) to a Zimbabwean government ministry. The fuel is never delivered. In a separate incident, two soldiers from the Zimbabwe National Army Presidential Guard and two accomplices were arrested in February 2021 for stealing property valued at over USD 1.6 million from Orchid Gardens farm. Stolen items included a 10,000-litre water tank, cement bags, sewing machines, and other farm assets. The theft was discovered on the morning of February 11, 2021, after the soldiers secured the farm warehouse the previous evening. The suspects were charged and appeared in court shortly thereafter.

  • Late 2021: Eptha Energy ceases operations, and Shungu and Tawanda Hairwadzi flee Zimbabwe.

  The Hunt and Arrests:

  • September 2022: Addax Energy (Private) Limited files a police report with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) regarding the missing fuel and the Hairwadzis’ disappearance. An INTERPOL Red Notice is subsequently issued for Tawanda Hairwadzi.

  • Early 2024 (February 5): Addax Energy Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd is listed as a registered supplier with the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) in the eGP system, confirming its active status. Its address is Block A 2ND FLOOR SMATSATSA OFFICE PARK BORROWDALE, Harare.

  • March 2025: Blessed Geza is reportedly expelled from ZANU-PF amidst his political activism and ongoing land disputes.

  • July 9, 2025: Tawanda Hairwadzi is arrested in Portugal on the INTERPOL Red Notice, after a three-year manhunt.

  • July 11, 2025: ZRP Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirms Tawanda Hairwadzi’s arrest and that extradition proceedings are underway. He also confirms that both Tawanda and Shungu Mwashaireni Hairwadzi are implicated in the fraud. Blessed Geza is reported in news as “celebrating early victory” and “thanking VP Chiwenga” in his political battles, even after his expulsion.

  .

The Corporate Landscape: Who’s Who and Where They Operate

The investigation touches upon several corporate entities, each with its own structure and footprint:

• Eptha Energy (Private) Limited:
  • Ownership: Shungu Mwashaireni Hairwadzi and Tawanda Hairwadzi.
  • Zimbabwe Presence: Yes, it was a Zimbabwean-registered company operating within the country. No active public website is available. Its exact registered address would be held by the Zimbabwean Companies and Intellectual Property Office (CIPZ).
  • Current Status: Ceased operations, owners are fugitives (one arrested).
• Addax Energy (Private) Limited (Zimbabwean Affiliate):
  • Ownership: This is the local operational arm of Oryx Energies SA, which is majority-owned by The Addax and Oryx Group (AOG).
  • Zimbabwe Presence: Yes, actively operating in Zimbabwe. It is a registered supplier with the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) under the name “ADDAX ENERGY ZIMBABWE” (Registration Date: 2024-02-05).
  • Address (PRAZ Database): Block A 2ND FLOOR SMATSATSA OFFICE PARK BORROWDALE Harare, Zimbabwe.
  • Website: The broader Oryx Energies website (https://www.oryxenergies.com/) details their operations, including in Zimbabwe.
  • Known Directors (Global Group – AOG/Oryx Energies SA, not necessarily local Zimbabwean entity): Jean Claude Gandur (AOG Executive Chairman), Arnaud Talabardon (AOG CEO, Oryx Energies Chairman), Moussa Diao (Oryx Energies SA CEO), and other board members of AOG and Oryx Energies SA. The specific local directors for the Zimbabwean private limited company would be with CIPZ.
• Oryx Energies SA / Addax Energy SA (Global Headquarters):
  • Ownership: Majority-owned by The Addax and Oryx Group (AOG).
  • Address: Rue Michel-Servet 12, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Website: https://www.oryxenergies.com/
• The Addax and Oryx Group PLC (AOG):
  • Ownership: Private investment group.
  • Founder: Jean Claude Gandur (1987).
  • Address: Michel-Servet 12, P.O. Box 351, 1211 Geneva 12, Switzerland.
  • Website: https://www.aoginvest.com/ (for the broader group’s investments).
• Addax Petroleum (Historical, Not Directly Involved in this Fraud):
  • Historical Ownership: Founded by Marc Lorenceau (1994) as part of the broader AOG.
  • Acquired by: Sinopec Group (a Chinese state-owned company) in August 2009.
  • Sinopec Group Headquarters: 22 Chaoyangmen North Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100728, China.
  • Sinopec Group Website: http://www.sinopecgroup.com/

 

The Procurement Watchdog: PRAZ’s Role

The procurement of fuel for a government ministry falls directly under the purview of the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ). Established under the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23], PRAZ is mandated to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in all public procurement processes. Companies wishing to supply the Zimbabwean government, like Addax Energy Zimbabwe, must be registered with PRAZ. This registration confirms their status as approved suppliers within the eGP (electronic Government Procurement) system. The alleged fraud represents a severe breach of the very principles PRAZ seeks to uphold.

Zimbabwean Entrepreneurs: A Broader Picture

While the Eptha Energy case casts a shadow, it’s crucial to acknowledge the vital role Zimbabwean women entrepreneurs play in the nation’s economy. Despite challenging economic conditions, many women have ventured into diverse sectors, contributing significantly to sustenance and growth. The actions of a few must not overshadow the integrity and resilience of the vast majority who build and maintain legitimate businesses.

Next Steps: Extradition and Investigation

As extradition proceedings for Tawanda Hairwadzi commence, the focus shifts to bringing him back to Zimbabwe to face justice. The ongoing police investigation will undoubtedly seek to unravel the full extent of the alleged fraud, recover the missing fuel, and determine the precise roles of all individuals involved. The public awaits further details, hoping for a resolution that reinforces accountability and transparency in Zimbabwe’s business landscape. The pursuit of Shungu Mwashaireni Hairwadzi also continues.

Other details

While direct, named links between the Hairwadzis and ZANU-PF are not publicly reported, the broader context is undeniable. Any significant business, especially one securing government contracts in a strategic sector like fuel, operates within a system heavily influenced by the ruling ZANU-PF party. The “Look East” policy has fostered deep state-to-state ties with China (affecting Sinopec, which acquired Addax Petroleum), and political connections are often seen as advantageous for business success in Zimbabwe. Figures like Blessed Geza, a ZANU-PF Central Committee member and war veteran, highlight the intricate link between land, politics, and power, even if his specific land dispute (involving former ARDA boss Basil Nyabadza) is separate from the Orchid Gardens controversy or the fuel fraud.

The farm involved in Blessed Geza’s land dispute with former ARDA chairman Basil Nyabadza is a piece of land on Plot 5 Spitzkop, Harare. 

Command Agriculture

Command Agriculture in Zimbabwe is a government-led agricultural support program designed to boost food security and reduce reliance on imports. It has evolved significantly since its inception:

Initial Phase (2016-2019) with Sakunda Holdings:

• Primary Financier and Manager: During its initial phase, starting in the 2016/2017 agricultural season, Command Agriculture was largely financed and managed by Sakunda Holdings, a private company led by presidential advisor Kudakwashe Tagwirei.
• Objective: The core aim was to ensure food security by increasing the production of staple crops, primarily maize and wheat.
• Model: Sakunda Holdings provided farmers with inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, chemicals, and even fuel and tillage services, typically on a loan basis. Farmers were then expected to repay these loans by delivering a portion of their harvest (often a set tonnage per hectare) to the state-run Grain Marketing Board (GMB) at a predetermined price.
• Target Farmers: The program initially targeted larger-scale commercial farmers, particularly those with irrigation facilities or access to water bodies, who could commit significant hectarage (e.g., 200 hectares or more for maize).
• Military Involvement: The program had a strong military component, with the armed forces often involved in the logistics of input distribution and monitoring. This aspect contributed to the “command” in its name and, for some farmers, fear of repercussions if targets were not met.
• Successes and Criticisms: While the program was credited with contributing to increased harvests, particularly a bumper maize harvest in the 2016/2017 season, leading to reduced import dependency, it also faced significant criticism. Concerns were raised about the lack of transparent tendering processes for Sakunda Holdings’ involvement, alleged overpayments to Sakunda, and low repayment rates from farmers, which ultimately burdened the national treasury. The Sentry report, in particular, highlighted possible unlawful payments to Sakunda’s firms.

Shift in Operational Model (Post-2019) with CBZ Bank and Beyond:

• Modified Forms: While Sakunda Holdings’ direct involvement as the primary financier largely concluded around 2019, the Command Agriculture program did not cease. Instead, it continued in modified forms, indicating a strategic shift in its operational model.
• CBZ Bank as Agent (2020/2021 onwards): For the 2020/2021 agricultural season, the government contracted CBZ Bank (specifically its division, CBZ Agro Yield) to act as its agent for the Command Agriculture program. This meant farmers would apply for loans or inputs directly through CBZ Agro Yield and would repay their loans to the bank after harvesting. The government provided guarantees for a significant portion of these loans (e.g., up to 80% for some crops).
• Continued State Guarantees: The shift to CBZ Bank meant that while the direct private financier changed, the state continued to underwrite a substantial portion of the financial risk, potentially transferring private debts to the public purse if farmers defaulted.
• Expansion to Various Sectors: The scope of Command Agriculture has significantly expanded beyond just maize and wheat. It has been extended to include various other sectors, such as:
  • Livestock: Covering beef, dairy, goats, poultry, and pigs, aiming to improve the supply of animal-based products.
  • Fisheries: Focusing on increasing fish production, particularly through stocking dams with fingerlings.
  • Other Crops: This includes a wider range of crops like traditional grains (sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet), soya beans, tobacco, groundnuts, and sweet potatoes, amongst others.

In essence, Command Agriculture began as a heavily state-backed, privately managed (by Sakunda) initiative to boost staple crop production. Following scrutiny, it transitioned to a model where public banks became the primary agents, still with significant government guarantees, and its reach broadened considerably across the agricultural spectrum to encompass a wider array of crops and animal farming.

Connected Cases

Addax Energy SA vs. C and T Mining (Zimbabwe)

• Pre-June 2022:

  • Addax supplies diesel worth approx. US$1.38 million to C and T Mining under an oral agreement with 14-day payment terms.

• June 1, 2022:

  • Addax terminates contract due to non-payment; demands return of fuel.

• Mid-2022 to 2023:

  • Legal dispute escalates; Addax claims full amount and foreign currency payment.

  • At trial start, Addax reduces claim to US$269,735.88.

• June 27, 2023:

  • Trial hearing begins in High Court of Zimbabwe.

• February 28, 2024:

  • Zimbabwe High Court rules debt payable in Zimbabwean dollars at prevailing exchange rate.

  • Addax loses claim for USD-only payment.

• March 6-7, 2024:

  • Media reports highlight Zimbabwe court ruling favoring local currency settlement.

Addax Energy SA vs. Eptha Energy (Tawanda Hairwadzi Fuel Fraud Case)

• August 2021:

  • Addax contracts Eptha Energy (owned by Tawanda Hairwadzi and wife) to transport 2 million litres of fuel to a government ministry.

• August to November 2021:

  • Addax releases 1,040,000 litres of fuel (valued at US$743,600) to Eptha Energy, which fails to deliver it to the ministry.

• 2022:

  • Eptha Energy closes operations; Hairwadzi and wife flee Zimbabwe.

  • Police report filed in September 2022; INTERPOL Red Notice issued for Hairwadzi.

• July 9, 2025:

  • Tawanda Hairwadzi arrested in Portugal after nearly four years on the run.

• July 10-12, 2025:

  • Zimbabwe Republic Police confirm arrest; Hairwadzi charged with theft of trust property related to fuel fraud.

Connected Persons

Individuals

• Kudakwashe Tagwirei

  • Owner of Sakunda Holdings; central figure in Command Agriculture controversies.

• Tendai Biti

  • Former Finance Minister; raised concerns about Command Agriculture funds.

• Mberikwazvo Chitambo

  • COO of Sakunda Holdings.

• Jozef Behr, Christopher Fourie, Ronelle Sinclair, Christian Weber

  • South African partners in Tagwirei’s Sotic International network.

• Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi

  • Deputy Director-General of Zimbabwe’s CIO; linked to Forever Associates Zimbabwe.

• Tangisai Tapera

  • Business partner of Tapfumaneyi; trustee of Forever Associates Zimbabwe.

• Patrick Zhuwao

  • Former minister involved in political debates on Command Agriculture.

• Walter Mzembi

  • Former minister and energy expert.

• Robert Mugabe

  • Former Zimbabwean President.

• Emmerson Mnangagwa

  • Current Zimbabwean President.

• Lisa-Marie Maropafadzo

  • Owner of Maropafadzo Energy; close ally of Mnangagwa; implicated in Cottco scandal.

• Felix Chinhamo

  • Director of C and T Mining (Addax Energy client).

• Coster Chimbwanda

  • Addax Energy operator in Zimbabwe.

• Jean Baptiste

  • Addax Energy Zimbabwe contact.

• Hadrien

  • Addax Energy staff in Zimbabwe.

• Iddo Tonderai Mudavanhu

  • Local partner for Addax Energy Zimbabwe.

• Moussa Diao

  • Managing Director and Chairman of Addax Energy SA.

• Eric Derhille

  • Manager West Africa & Trading Desk, Addax Energy.

• Virginie [Surname not specified]

  • Director at South African Marine Fuels (Oryx Energies affiliate).

• Wang Pingwei

  • Chairman of Sinomine Resource Group (Chinese lithium mining company in Zimbabwe).

• Soda Zhemu

  • Zimbabwe Mines and Mining Development Minister.

 

Connected Entities