Beitbridge Bureau Chief
A Congolese man has been fined US$5 000 for evading paying duty for a vehicle he imported from South Africa.
Fani Fani Ageronga Lisamba of number 67 Learoyd Street in Braeside, Harare was arrested at his home at the weekend in connection with smuggling a Nissan Cefiro worth US$4 000 from Durban, South Africa.
He had lied to Zimra officials that the vehicle was destined for the DRC but instead sold the car in Zimbabwe.
Cars in transit are not charged duty in Zimbabwe.
Lisamba is reportedly part of a syndicate involved in the importation of vehicles from South Africa, which they claim are in transit, but are actually destined for the local market.
According to a senior police officer in the border town, four cars — including the Cefiro — have been recovered in Harare and forfeited to the State, while the other suspects are still at large.
Lisamba was on Wednesday convicted on his own plea of guilty to smuggling when he appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Mr Carrington Karidzagundi.
If he fails to pay the fine, he will spend a year in jail.
A one-year prison term was also set aside on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within five years.
Prosecutor Mr Jabulani Mberesi told the court that in September this year, Lisamba imported a 1994 Nissan Cefiro from South Africa.
At Beitbridge Border Post, he indicated to Zimra that the car was destined for the DRC.
However, he sold it in Harare for US$2 550.
The Police Border Control Unit, following a tip-off, arrested Lisamba in Harare and recovered the car.
Herald 12 November 2010
www.herald.co.zw
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