The Lusaka Economics and Financial Crimes Court has convicted three companies for smuggling 3621 kilograms of seafood into the country.

Zambia Revenue Authority Corporate Communications Manager Oliver Nzala has said that the illicit activity undertaken by Ronata Logistics Limited, Sawa Trading & General Dealers and Simasiku Mundia resulted in a revenue loss of over K2.2 million defrauding the Zambian government of $72,420 in taxes and duties. 

In a statement issued to ZANIS, Mr Nzala said the court has ordered the convicted parties to pay the evaded taxes and duties, totaling over K2.2 million, as well as a prosecution cost of K100, 000. 

In addition to paying the owed taxes and duties, Mr Nzala disclosed that the convicts have since paid the authority the evaded taxes and duties in a total sum of K2,257,574.57 alongside a cost of prosecution amounting to K100,000 while pledging to register on the Smart Invoice system with Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA). 

“This serves as a reminder to all taxpayers to ensure they pay import duties and taxes, and make accurate declarations with the ZRA,” Mr Nzala said.