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Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has intercepted three fuel tankers that were smuggling fuel into the country purporting to be en route 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 Border Post.

“Zimra has intercepted three transit fuel trucks at 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.

He said 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 Mr Chimanda.

He said with the assistance of police, two drivers were arrested and have already appeared in court.

Godfrey Nyamukondiwa and Joseph Guveya appeared in court on Monday and were remanded to 24 August on $30 000 bail each.

One of the three fuel tankers held by Zimra

Mr Chimanda said the driver of the third tanker is still at large as he disappeared during the physical inspection of the vehicle.

“The authority is capacitating the intelligence management unit and will continue leveraging on technology and data matching to fish out fuel smugglers,” he said.

Mr 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.

Mr Chimanda said the fuel that smugglers purport to be on transit fuel was not exiting Zimbabwe but was instead being consumed locally against customs regulations.

“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,” he said.

Mr Chimanda said the smugglers as a result make a hefty profit in Zimbabwe since they were not paying duty.

Sealed fuel trucks that transit through Zimbabwe, are monitored by an Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) operated by Zimra’s customs and excise division hence some of these smugglers are being caught.

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.