WE’LL CLIP FRAUDULENT CLEARING AGENTS – ZRA

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU FRAUDULENT behaviour by some clearing agents which resulted in a failed countrywide strike this week is another good reason for the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to automate the systems, ZRA Commissioner General, Kingsley Chanda has said. Mr Chanda, in an interview wondered how the organisation and indeed Government could credence to such fraudulent clearing agents. He was reacting to a failed strike which was organised by the Customs Clearing and Freight Forwarding Agents Association of Zambia (CCFFAAZ) president, Bruce Kaemba. “Fraudulent Behaviour by Bruce Kaemba and His Association is another Good Reason for ZRA to Automate Systems. “Out of the 132 Agents who signed the petition against automation of customs systems and agreed to go on the shameful failed “countrywide strike called by Bruce Kaemba, only 36 had legitimate licenses, 73 are unlicensed and therefore not registered agents and 23 were duplications meaning the same companies signing more than one time?” Mr Chanda asked. Mr Chanda stressed that the strike failed because the majority genuine agents who supported ZRA modernisation refused to be part of it. Effectively, he said, it meant only 36 out 957 registered agents were against ZRA modernisation drive. On Monday this week, Mr Chanda said ZRA had started the process of stopping to recognise CCFFAAZ for disrupting smooth operations of borders posts and has warned to revoke the licenses of agents backing the association. He then directed his legal team to start the process of stopping to recognise CCFFAAZ by the organisation. “We will not tolerate anarchy and illicit political activities in the clearing industry “I have since directed my legal team to start the process of stopping our recognition of this clearing association for disrupting the smooth operations of our borders which is tantamount to economic sabotage,” Mr Chanda said. Mr Chanda explained that the CCFFAAZ leader was fighting ZRA for suspending his company over seven months ago for alleged involvement in transit fraud and smuggling. He warned clearing agents supporting the sabotage caused by Mr Kaemba that they risked having their licenses revoked. “Bruce Kaemba who is the ring leader has no clearing company. So he is basically fighting his own battle and riding on the ignorance of few agents. Those agents who will follow him risk having their licenses revoked. “At the moment Zambia has four registered clearing associations and only one with the lowest membership is against our efforts to improve tax compliance. The majority are supportive,” Mr Chanda said.