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Munyaradzi Doma in Zvishavane
A 34-year-old Harare man has been sentenced to an effective two years in jail after being found guilty of smuggling a car worth $11 000 from South Africa. For the offence, Zvishavane magistrate Mr Archie Wochiunga slapped Moreblessing Kutsi Gweshe of St Martins with a 30-month jail term. Mr Wochiunga, however, set aside six months for three years on condition that Gweshe is not convicted of a similar offence within that period.

On forging customs and excise duty papers, Gweshe will pay a $300 fine, failure of which he will be jailed for 30 days. The smuggled Toyota D4D single-cab vehicle was forfeited to the State. Prosecuting, Mr Tinashe Maponde proved that on July 18, detectives from the Zvishavane Minerals and Border Control Unit received information that Gweshe had smuggled the vehicle after entering through an illegal crossing point.

The police reportedly tracked the vehicle to Mberengwa where it was recovered. After being asked for the vehicle’s documents, Gweshe produced a South African registration book, affidavit, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) temporary import permit and a Zimra customs payment receipt. A verification process, however, showed that no duty had been paid for the car and it was discovered that Moreblessing had prejudiced the State $10 400. The car was then seized by Zimra and kept at Zvishavane Police Station. It was also discovered that he had forged customs and excise duty documents. He was arrested as a result.