News / National
Pasi speaks- out - Am not under investigation and on suspension
11 May 2016 at 14:17hrs | Views
ZIMBABWE Revenue Authority (Zimra) commissioner general Gershem Pasi has refuted reports that he was suspended by the board.
Pasi says he was merely asked to go on leave, The Standard reported Wednesday.
Through his lawyers Mutamangira & Associates, Pasi was responding to a story published by The Standard on May 8 where it was revealed that the board asked him to take paid leave to facilitate investigations into a car importation racket.
Pasi was sent on leave alongside five other senior Zimra officials by the authority's board amid an investigation into an alleged car importation racket.
The other officials that were sent on paid leave were Sithokozile Mrewa (human resources director), Annah Mutombodzi (customs and exercise commissioner), Tjiyapo Velempini (ICT director), Clive Majengwa (internal audit director) and Charlton Chihuri (loss control director).
"Our client was not suspended as your article alleges," the lawyers wrote to the Standard.
"Our client was asked to take leave following a decision of the board of Zimra, the circumstances of which are under consideration by our client regarding the validity thereof and the basis upon which the request is premised."
The paper added that Pasi also took issue with allegations that the investigations that 'nailed' him and the other Zimra officials were carried out by the Central Intelligence Organisation.
"It is astounding that you mention the Central Intelligence Organisation as having conducted the alleged investigation in light of such fallacious findings.
"Nothing short of malice and petty spite could package such total untruths as the outcome of investigations.
"The ineluctable conclusion being that the flawed investigation cannot be the basis of any lawful action."
However, Pasi, the paper he did not dispute that he was involved in an accident in Harare while driving his Toyota Land Cruiser but said the registration number was ADJ 6890 not ADS 6890 as reported by The Standard.
"Our client indeed owns a Toyota Land Cruiser whose registration number is ADJ 6890.
"This vehicle was purchased by our client in 2014 from Toyota Msasa and not from Timothy Simupfukwe as your article implies.
"Our client has never had any dealings with Timothy Simupfukwe and has no knowledge of the said Timothy Simupfukwe."
Simupfukwe has been accused of working with a syndicate of top Zimra officials to evade duty for imported cars.
Pasi said it was not true that his Toyota Landcruiser was unlawfully registered.
Pasi says he was merely asked to go on leave, The Standard reported Wednesday.
Through his lawyers Mutamangira & Associates, Pasi was responding to a story published by The Standard on May 8 where it was revealed that the board asked him to take paid leave to facilitate investigations into a car importation racket.
Pasi was sent on leave alongside five other senior Zimra officials by the authority's board amid an investigation into an alleged car importation racket.
The other officials that were sent on paid leave were Sithokozile Mrewa (human resources director), Annah Mutombodzi (customs and exercise commissioner), Tjiyapo Velempini (ICT director), Clive Majengwa (internal audit director) and Charlton Chihuri (loss control director).
"Our client was not suspended as your article alleges," the lawyers wrote to the Standard.
"Our client was asked to take leave following a decision of the board of Zimra, the circumstances of which are under consideration by our client regarding the validity thereof and the basis upon which the request is premised."
The paper added that Pasi also took issue with allegations that the investigations that 'nailed' him and the other Zimra officials were carried out by the Central Intelligence Organisation.
"Nothing short of malice and petty spite could package such total untruths as the outcome of investigations.
"The ineluctable conclusion being that the flawed investigation cannot be the basis of any lawful action."
However, Pasi, the paper he did not dispute that he was involved in an accident in Harare while driving his Toyota Land Cruiser but said the registration number was ADJ 6890 not ADS 6890 as reported by The Standard.
"Our client indeed owns a Toyota Land Cruiser whose registration number is ADJ 6890.
"This vehicle was purchased by our client in 2014 from Toyota Msasa and not from Timothy Simupfukwe as your article implies.
"Our client has never had any dealings with Timothy Simupfukwe and has no knowledge of the said Timothy Simupfukwe."
Simupfukwe has been accused of working with a syndicate of top Zimra officials to evade duty for imported cars.
Pasi said it was not true that his Toyota Landcruiser was unlawfully registered.
Source - Online
