Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. SINYOCHIV Procurement Services (Pvt) Ltd Zimbabwe, a company that imports goods from China, yesterday appeared in court on allegations of defrauding the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) of US$79 986.
Rutendo Hazel Chiveso (42), the company’s director, also appeared before Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa before being granted a US$300 bail.
According to court documents, in March and April this year, Chiveso, through her company Sinyochiv Procurement Services (Pvt) Ltd Zimbabwe, purchased 1 143 cartons of clothes, fake flowers and foam balls, among other goods, weighing 48 020kg from Long Grand Enterprises Limited, Hong Kong.
The State alleged that the consignment was loaded into two containers belonging to CMA CGM shipping company and sealed in China to be transported to Beira, Mozambique, then to Harare.
The court heard that in July, the said consignment arrived in Beira. The accused, acting in connivance with Natural Manyeku, a clearing agent under Sequency Freight Pvt Limited, allegedly created a fake bill of lading and invoice to state that the consignment was agricultural equipment, which is exempt from duty.
After amending the bill of lading and invoice, Manyeku subcontracted With You Customs Clearing to do Zimra clearance of the consignment at Forbes Border Post in Mutare.
In July, the clearing company processed Zimra clearance on bill entries number C16697 and C18711, declaring that the consignment was agricultural implements.
Zimra exempted the consignment from paying import duty of US$79 986,58.
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