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Margaret Matibiri Herald Reporter
HARARE magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo yesterday acquitted a clearing agent of smuggling 95 boxes of dried fish worth over $130 000 into the country from South Africa.
Fungai Tom was found not guilty of contravening the Customs Act. He was discharged at the close of the State case.
This was after the State failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Tom had in his defence argued that he was a clearing agent and had been given the goods by one L Baloi of Kadoma.
He said he was unware the fish had been smuggled into the country. He said the State was supposed to prove to the court who smuggled the fish. Mr Makomo said the police should have arrested Baloi.
Police arrested Tom at the Harare International Airport following a tip off.
It was the State’s case that he intended to export the fish to China.
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