Two men have been ordered to pay more than K5.5 million to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) after being convicted of smuggling premium alcoholic beverages into the country.
Mweene Mweemba and Sydney Kunda were found guilty by the Economic and Financial Crimes Court for illegally importing alcohol between October 1 and October 30, 2024, through Kazungula.
The pair smuggled several high-end brands, including Jameson Whiskey, Chivas Regal, Deacon Whiskey, Imperial Blue, Bumbu Rum, Malf Godi Gin, Con Afrancia and Beefeater Gin, resulting in significant revenue losses for the government.
When the matter was heard on Monday in Livingstone, the two men entered into plea negotiations under the Plea Negotiations and Agreements Act No. 20 of 2010, an application that ZRA did not contest.
Senior Resident Magistrate Trevor Kalisilira fined each offender K6,400 and directed them to pay ZRA a combined total of K5,562,816.79. The amount covers unpaid duties and taxes of K5,085,983.91, penalties amounting to K376,832.87 and prosecution costs of K100,000.
ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Oliver Nzala stated that the authority has strengthened surveillance systems to combat tax evasion and smuggling. He warned that any offenders will face legal action and prosecution in accordance with the law.
