eBusiness Weekly
Business Writer
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has intercepted three fuel tankers that were smuggling fuel into the country purporting to be enroute to Zambia in order to avoid tax obligation.
In a statement yesterday, Zimra said between 17 and 23 July the three tankers, whose owners are yet to be identified, had declared fuel at Forbes Border Post but were all found loaded with water at Chirundu Boarder Post.
“Zimra has intercepted three transit fuel trucks in Chirundu that are accused of smuggling fuel into the country, which was meant to be transported to Zambia, potentially prejudicing the country of potential revenues through organised crime,” Zimra spokesperson, Mr Francis Chimanda, said.
“During the period…the three tankers that had declared fuel at Forbes Border Post enroute to Zambia were intercepted at Chirundu One Stop Border Post, all loaded with water instead of fuel as per the declarations made at Forbes Border Post.”
The three accused had respectively declared 44 924 litres of diesel, 39 932 litres of diesel and 45 800 litres of petrol destined for Zambia. However, after physical inspections the three haulage truckers turned out to be carrying water, said Chimanda.
They were then flagged for physical inspection and with the assistance of police, two drivers were arrested and have already appeared in court. The arrested drivers for the two fuel tankers, Godfrey Nyamukondiwa and Joseph Guveya, who appeared in court on Monday were granted bail worth $30 000 each and are set to reappear in court on the 24th of August.
“The driver of the third tanker is still at large as he disappeared during the physical inspection of the vehicle,” said Zimra.
“The authority is currently capacitating the intelligence management unit and will continue leveraging on technology and data matching to fish out fuel smugglers.”
Chimanda said the bond for the clearing agent involved has since been recommended for suspension until the duty due for the fuel has been secured.
“Intelligence at hand points to possible connivance between transporters and their drivers as well as some unscrupulous agents,” he said.
“The transit fuel does not exit Zimbabwe and is consumed locally against customs regulations. The smugglers off-load and sell the fuel in Zimbabwe.
“Thereafter, they load the trucks with water and proceed to Chirundu for the acquittal process. Once acquitted, they enter Zambia where they drain the water and buy cheaper fuel for delivery to their customers.
“This ensures that they make a hefty profit in Zimbabwe since they would have brought the fuel into Zimbabwe duty-free,” said Chimanda.
Transit shipment of fuel occurs when transporters ship fuel from outside Zimbabwe, which passes through the country destined for another country. Since this fuel is not for local consumption, no duty is paid on importation. The fuel trucks are sealed at the port of entry and the seals are removed at the exit point after the acquittal process.
Sealed fuel trucks that transit through Zimbabwe, are monitored by an Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) operated by Zimra’s customs and excise division.
The trucks use dedicated routes and any departure from these routes attracts a fine of US$2 000. Removal of seals is a serious offence, which also attracts a hefty fine.
