TWO PEOPLE CONVICTED FOR AIDING SMUGGLING IN LIVINGSTONE

For immediate release

11^th March, 2022

The Livingstone Subordinate Court has convicted two people for aiding smuggling of goods into the country at Kazungula Border Post.

This is in a matter where Edwin Womba and Luckson Mukonkela had been charged with the offence of Aiding at smuggling contrary to Section 149 (b) as read together with Section 155 of the Customs and Excise Act Cap 322 of the laws of Zambia.

Facts of the matter are that on an unknown date between 1^st March and 3^rd March, 2022 around 22:00hrs, a known person approached Edwin Womba and Luckson Mukonkela about the deal he wanted them to execute by allowing a South African carrying 3220 cases of assorted alcoholic beverages to use an unauthorized gate they were manning to exit the boarder and promised them remuneration immediately the truck passes, to which they agreed and received K2,000 each.

Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) later intercepted the truck and investigations revealed that the driver had fake documents contrary to what he was carrying. The vessel and the consignment were seized in accordance with 162 of the Customs and Excise Act, Chapter 322 of the laws of Zambia. 

The truck was carrying a consignment of 3220 cases of assorted alcoholic beverages with value for duty purposes in the sum of K1,177,642.97 thereby defrauding Government of the Republic of Zambia of revenue amount of K 1,560,367.92

Edwin Womba and Luckson Mukonkela have since been convicted on their own admission and sentenced accordingly.

ZRA wishes to remind the public to avoid smuggling.

Issued by

Topsy Sikalinda

ZRA Corporate Communications Manager