ZRA on high alert to thwart smuggling during festive season

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has placed its Mobile Compliance Unit teams on high alert to thwart any smuggling during this festive season.

ZRA Chirundu border Assistant Commissioner Kaoma Bwalya says the MCU teams are in all strategic areas ready to pounce on smugglers.

Speaking when he handed over a donation of seized smuggled products which include sugar and laundry soap valued at K373,192.00 to the social welfare office,Mtendere Mission Hospital and Mudzi Wamoyo Orphanage in Chirundu district, Mr Bwalya warned importers to desist from the practice of smuggling and other forms of tax malpractices that deny government of the much needed revenue.

He says the goods donated were seized after being intercepted through routine inspections after discovering that the importers did not declare and had no legal documentation permitting the importation of the goods into Zambia.

Mr Bwalya says the donation is therefore in accordance with sections 203 and 204 of the Customs and Excise Act Cao 322 of the Laws of Zambia.

He says ZRA though its corporate social responsibility programme thought there is no better way to reach out to the people than this Christmas time.

Speaking when she received the donation, Mtendere Mission Hospital Sister-in-charge Sangeethe Mathew has thanked ZRA for the donations which she says will go a long way in helping the vulnerable in society.

She says the donation could not have come at a better time than now when people will be celebrating Christmas.