Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo-Court Correspondent
A local company director appeared in court over the weekend facing charges of smuggling groceries into Zimbabwe and evading duty amounting to R2 700 876, equivalent to US$148 548.
Prosper Isaka (46), a director at Profutunny Investments (Pvt) Ltd, was arraigned before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Jesse Kufa on smuggling charges. He was granted US$200 bail and is scheduled to return to court on 22 April.
Prosecutors allege that between March and June 2024, Isaka imported various grocery items from Boss Foods (Pvt) Ltd, a South African company based in Johannesburg. Using his company, Isaka transported the goods through Plumtree Border Post.
To evade paying the required duties, Isaka allegedly colluded with Nyasha Moyo and Blessing Kodzawako, both clearing agents, to forge customs documents.
The forged paperwork falsely declared the imported goods as agricultural equipment, which is exempt from duties. Both clearing agents are on remand.
The court further heard that Isaka conspired with three officials from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority stationed at Plumtree Border Post: Luckson Chikwara, James Dzimirwa, and Tinotenda Allen Mawoyo, all of whom are also on remand.
The revenue officers, responsible for scanning trucks to verify their contents, allegedly bypassed the scanning process for Isaka’s vehicles, allowing the smuggled goods to pass undetected.
As a result, ZIMRA suffered a financial loss of R2 700 876,45 (US$148 548,06) in unpaid import duties.
