GAS COMPANY, DIRECTOR IN COURT OVER ALLEGED TAX VIOLATIONS

A Harare-based liquefied petroleum gas retailer, Prompt Gas, and its director, Gift Patsika, have appeared in court on allegations of breaching tax and exchange control regulations involving more than R8 million.

The pair appeared before regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa on Wednesday.

According to prosecutors, detectives from the CID Asset Forfeiture Unit were deployed on Monday under an operation code-named “Pressure Valve,” which focused on inspecting fuel and LPG businesses for compliance in areas such as licensing, pricing, funding sources and banking transactions.

Investigators visited Prompt Gas premises at 1170A3 Mutare Road, where initial checks indicated that the company had imported gas from Mozambican supplier IPG between January 1 and November 18 this year at a cost of R8,006,055.75.

The State alleges that Patsika failed to furnish proof that the imports were processed through formal banking channels as required. Authorities further claim the company made offshore payments without Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe approval, in violation of exchange control regulations.

The court also heard that the origins of the funds used for the purchases could not be accounted for, raising possible money laundering concerns.

The matter is expected to continue as investigations proceed.