Zimra pair, clearing agent in court

TWO Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) officers and a clearing agent have appeared in court on criminal abuse of office charges after they reportedly facilitated the entry of undeclared goods worth approximately $48 000 from Mozambique.

Abisiah Mapasure (32), Elias Mboto (41) and Desmond Kadzoma (33) pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Mutare magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo last Friday.

They were remanded out of custody to March 29, on $200 bail each.

Representing the State, Mr Brighton Shamhuyarira told the court that on January 29 this year at Mutare Dry Port, Mapasure, a clearing agent with Allen Wack and Shepard Global Freight (AWSGF), connived with the Zimra officers to allow goods into the country without paying duty.

He said the goods which were in a truck in four containers listed on the initial declaration were different from goods on the bill of entry as the agent declared less goods.

After a physical examination, the importer was asked to pay duty of $25 000 before the truck was released, prejudicing Zimra of $48 000 from the undeclared goods.

The offence came to light when Zimra officers in Kwekwe intercepted the truck and found the undeclared goods including more than 3 000 boxes of ceramic tiles among other goods.

A Zimra loss control officer made investigations, leading to the trio’s arrest.