Court fines Kanyoyangwa K100,000 for importing Benylin without ZAMRA permit

Simba Kanyoyangwa has been convicted and fined K100,000 by the Livingstone Subordinate Court for importing Benylin with Codeine cough mixture without an import permit from Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA).

Ludovic Mwape, ZAMRA Public Relations Officer, said
Kanyoyangwa’s action was contrary to section 35 (1) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Act No. 3 of 2013.

“Facts of the matter are that Mr. Simba Kundakwashe Omega Kanyoyangwa, male, aged 49 of Waterfalls, Harare District of Zimbabwe on June 26, 2023 did import 960 bottles of Benylin with Codeine cough mixture through Kazungula border post without an import permit issued by ZAMRA and was intercepted by Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Officers,” he said.

Mwape said in a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday that following further investigations by ZAMRA, the matter was taken to court for prosecution.

“When the matter was brought before Chief Resident Magistrate Judge Julius Malata Kabalata on July 17, 2023 at Livingstone Subordinate Court, Kanyoyangwa pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined upon conviction,” he said.

Mwape said the medicines were seized and forfeited to the state for disposal.

He warned perpetrators of similar offences that ZAMRA shall not hesitate to prosecute persons illegally importing medicines into the country.

“This is to ensure that only quality, safe and efficacious medicines are placed on the Zambian market,” Mwape said.

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