Ndola Clearing Agent Fined For Smuggling Salaula
Written by Mafken FM Newsroom on 27 September 2024
By Comfort Nthala
A clearing agent from Ndola, identified as 33 year old Alexander Mulilwa Zulu, has been fined Ten Thousand Kwacha or face nine months in prison for his role in a smuggling operation.
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Corporate Communications Manager Oliver Nzala, tells Mafken News that Zulu appeared before the Ndola Subordinate Court, charged with aiding in smuggling contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
Facts of the case are that between November 20, 2022, and December 31, 2022, Zulu, acting in conjunction with unidentified accomplices, used motor vehicle and trailer to smuggle a consignment of 20 cartons of used handbags and 300 cartons of used clothing also known as Salaula into the Country.
The total value for duty purposes was assessed at Six Hundred Seventy-Six Thousand Fifty-One Kwacha Twenty Ngwee, resulting in a tax evasion of Three Hundred Four Thousand Two Hundred Twenty-Three Kwacha.
Mr Nzala has revealed that Zulu falsely declared to customs officers at the Sakania border that the consignment was in transit to the Democratic Republic of Congo from Tanzania. However, upon interception and inspection of the truck, customs officers found that the goods had already been transferred to another vehicle in Ndola.
He has further revealed that the court has ordered Zulu to pay the evaded taxes amounting to Three Hundred Four Thousand Two Hundred Twenty-Three Kwacha to the ZRA, adding that failure to comply will result in the forfeiture of the vessel involved in the smuggling operation to the State.
However ZRA has issued a stern warning to all clearing agents, stating that those found guilty of tax offenses risk losing their licenses and facing prosecution.
