Puma Energy denies involvement in fuel smuggling | Zambian Eye
Oil company, Puma Energy Zambia PLC, has denied allegations that it is involved in fuel smuggling activities in the country.
On Friday last week, the Zambia Revenue Authority disclosed that it had busted an organized fuel smuggling syndicate through the Chirundu One-Stop Boarder Post worth over K2.8 million in unpaid duty and taxes.
In this scam, the importer allegedly falsely declared the consignment as Jet A1 fuel – which is duty free – when it was in fact petrol and diesel.
According to ZRA, investigations revealed that import declarations were done by the Agent at Chirundu on behalf of Puma Energy, who were found to have fully paid for the respective entries and that all the 13 entries currently confirmed by investigations were imported under Puma Energy and fully paid for as Jet A1 supplies.
ZRA further revealed that a Mr Chombe Gondwe, who was acting on behalf of Puma Energy, has since been arrested and has appeared in court for the offence of smuggling contrary to section 149 of the Customs and Excise Act Cap 322 of the Laws of Zambia.
But in a statement released today, Puma Energy denied any involvement in illegal activity, stating that it has in fact been helping ZRA with investigations since the matter first surfaced.
“Puma Energy Zambia is aware of the media articles about fuel smuggling activities in Zambia following the publication of a press release by the ZRA on Friday, 1st December 2017,” reads the statement. “Any suggestion that Puma Energy is involved in fuel smuggling is simply incorrect.”
“Since this issue first came to our attention in September this year, we have worked with and fully cooperated with the ZRA’s investigation, and undertook our own investigations, which revealed the fraudulent use of Puma Energy’s identity in fuel smuggling activities.
“Puma Energy, the market leader in the retail business in Zambia, remains steadfast and committed to the best practice locally and internationally in all its business transactions, and to give the best service possible to its esteemed customers.”
imwe ba Puma, if this what you have been upto, then please consider my money allergic to your toxins….i believed in Puma and Total….it seems am left with only one choice Total by choice….
December 6, 2017 at 8:20 am
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