Former Deputy Minister of Finance Terrence Mukupe
By Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s Former Deputy Minister of Finance Terrence Mukupe has been convicted of fraud charges and an alternative charge of contravening section 174(1) of the Customs and Excise Act (false declaration) after smuggling 138 979 litres of fuel into the country in 2017.
Mukupe was convicted together with his accomplices Same Kapisoriso, Ngonidzashe Mutsvene and Joseph Taderera.
After conviction, the quartet was remanded in custody awaiting sentencing on November 9, which has since been deferred to the 16 November 2023.
The court was convinced that Mukupe and his accomplices indeed smuggled the fuel into the country without paying duty.
The tanker was intercepted by Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) officials at Chirundu border post leading to the arrest of the four.
In a statement released Wednesday evening, NPA said the State had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Former Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development Terrence Mukupe together with 3 others have been convicted of importing 138 979 litres of fuel without paying duty. In doing so the accused prejudiced the State of revenue amounting to US$55 591.
“The accused are in custody pending their sentence on November 9 at the Harare High Court.”
Prosecutors proved that Mukupe and his accomplices connived to import 138 919 liters of diesel into the country without paying duty at the border.
The tanker entered the country via Forbes Border Post in Mutare and Mukupe declared that it was going to DRC. However Mukupe and team emptied the fuel and filled the tanker with water, before driving to Chirundu Border Post. They were stopped by ZIMRA officials who discovered the fraud.
