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The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) claims it has recovered more than K1,493,000 from Stephane Mining Imports and Exports Limited following a conviction by the Economic and Financial Crimes Court in Kitwe for making false representations under Zambian law.
ZRA Senior Corporate Communications Officer, Harriet Mwiinga, confirmed to Zambia Monitor on Friday that Stephane Mining made a false declaration on its bills of entry, claiming Zinc concentrate was exported from Zambia when it was, in fact, Zinc ore.
This misrepresentation led to the company defrauding the government of K1,493,307.52 in revenue.
“Facts of the case are that Stephane Mining Imports and Exports Limited, on dates unknown but between January 1, 2024, and March 30, 2024, in Kitwe on the Copperbelt, jointly and whilst acting together with others unknown, did make false representations to the Authority by declaring on bills of entry that Zinc concentrate was exported out of Zambia when in fact it was Zinc ore which was exported, thereby defrauding the Government of the Republic of Zambia of revenue amounting to K1,493,307.52,” Mwiinga stated.
The company’s actions allowed it to evade export duty, thus defrauding the government of significant revenue.
Mwiinga also noted that ZRA had intercepted six trucks loaded with Zinc ore during the investigation.
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“When the case came up for plea and commencement of trial on September 5, 2024, the mining firm informed the court of their intent to invoke the provisions of the Plea Negotiations Act Number 20 of 2010. The state did not object, provided the accused paid the full amount of the evaded taxes,” she said.
Mwiinga further revealed that the accused paid the evaded taxes and was additionally ordered to reimburse the State K100,000 for prosecution costs.
The court also mandated that the six trucks and 110 bags of Copper ore seized be handed over to the ZRA to be dealt with under sections 162 and 163 of the Customs and Excise Act, Chapter 322 of the Laws of Zambia.
Mwiinga warned that cases of false representation were on the rise and that ZRA had strengthened its monitoring mechanisms to detect tax fraud.
“Taxpayers found wanting will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” she cautioned.
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