Ex-Finance deputy minister Terrence Mukupe has been remanded into custody after his sentencing was postponed yesterday. This decision comes after Mukupe was found guilty of smuggling 138,979 litres of diesel from Mozambique. The sentencing hearing will now take place on November 16.High Court Justice Benjamin Chikowero postponed the sentencing after hearing the prosecutor and defence’s submissions in mitigation and aggravation. The court is taking until next week to consider the issues raised yesterday.
In the prosecution’s case, represented by Wishes Mabhaudhi and Lovet Masuku, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) auditor Washington Taringa was called upon to elucidate the adverse effects of Mukupe’s actions on the tax authority.
Taringa stated, “Zimra sets specific targets that need to be met to finance critical public projects like schools and clinics. Transit fraud disrupts these targets, hindering the growth of essential infrastructure. Additionally, it creates an unfair playing field in the industry. When untaxed goods flood the market, they can be sold at lower prices, leading to an uneven competitive landscape.”
Taringa further pointed out that Zimra incurred financial losses due to smuggling goods. Mukupe, Same Kapisoriso, Joseph Taderera, and Leonard Mudzuto were all convicted in connection with this case.The quartet remains in custody while awaiting their sentencing. The court revealed that on January 27, 2017, at Forbes Border Post in Mutare, the four individuals conspired to illicitly import diesel without paying the required duties.
The three drivers brought the diesel into Zimbabwe, stating it was going to DRC. However, they offloaded it in Zimbabwe and loaded water into the tankers. The accused persons were caught at the Chirundu Border post days later when a ZIMRA officer assessed the nature of the goods carried.
Source iHarare.com
