ZRA Busts Fuel Smuggling Scam, Impounds 3 Trucks | Zambia Reports



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.

ZRA Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda said the trucks were declared as transit Cargo to DRC by Fedrol Cargo Logistics, a Zambian Clearing Agent.

“One of the trucks carrying fuel worth over one million kwacha was being monitored to appreciate and understand how exactly 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,” Mr Sikalinda said.

“The Authority has further decided to suspend the Tax payer identification number (TPIN) for the clearing company.
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.”

He said the commission is monitoring the situation and gathering all the evidence.

“We are monitoring the situation and gathering all the evidence to ensure that prosecution in the courts of law is fully successful. The Authority 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,” Mr Sikalinda said.