The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) says it is closing in on fuel smuggling scams that have already resulted in three trucks being impounded at the ZRA Makeni Enforcement Center.
Authority Corporate Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda told Money FM News in a statement that the trucks were declared as transit Cargo to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by Fedrol Cargo Logistics a Zambian Clearing Agent.
Mr. Sikalinda stated that one of the trucks carrying fuel worth over one million kwacha was being monitored to appreciate and understand how the scam was happening.
“The alert ZRA officials had to wait for the truck to start offloading the consignment in the light industrial area for them to impound and document the evidence. This consignment was declared as transit fuel going to Congo DRC but was offloaded in Zambia without paying any taxes.”
“The Authority is aware of transit fraud that is currently happening and warns all people involved that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them. We are monitoring the situation and gathering all the evidence to ensure that prosecution in the courts of law is fully successful,” Mr. Sikalinda said.
Mr. Sikalinda further stated that ZRA is exploring a partnership with Congo to ensure that information exchange is done on all transits.
“This will result in all transits declared to be pre-cleared in the Congo before they are allowed to transit in Zambia as part of revenue protection measures for both countries,” he stated.