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Crime Reporter

TWO Zimbabwean companies face fraud charges after they allegedly brought into the country three trucks loaded with nearly 147 000 litres of petrol, paying no duty when they claimed the fuel was destined for Zambia.

The two are allegedly to have offloaded the petrol in Zimbabwe before trying to proceed to Zambia with empty trucks.

After offloading the fuel, the trucks were driven to Chirundu where the drivers tried to cross into Zambia, but their luck ran out when they were intercepted by security agents who physically checked and found the tankers empty.

The trucks, belonging to Bulky Energy Transport and Ellies TPF Transport, have since been impounded, while the drivers are assisting police with investigations.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police in Chirundu intercepted the tankers on November 16.

“Bulky Energy Transport and Ellies TPF Transport companies brought into the countries three tankers: Volvo FH12 (AEG 1450), Freitliner (AEU 1405) and Scania AEG (6986).

“The drivers tried to cross into Zambia before Zimra and security agencies raised the alarm,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

Last month, police and other security agents impounded a foreign registered fuel tanker at the Chirundu One-Stop Border Post loaded with about 25 000 litres of water instead of the expected diesel fuel after the driver had attempted to dupe them that he was carrying fuel.

The driver disappeared and police were conducting investigations on the case.

It is believed that the driver could have offloaded the fuel in Zimbabwe before attempting to drive into Zambia with the water.

Zimra recently said it was seized with capacitating its intelligence management unit and will continue leveraging technology and data matching to fish out fuel smugglers.