Bogus car dealer busted

BEITBRIDGE - A Bogus care dealer Joseph Chibongore who used the Temporary Import Permit (TIP) to illicitly smuggle vehicles to Zimbabwe was on Tuesday busted for his dirty deals.

Chibongore, who is based in Chitungwiza, was arrested for smuggling five vehicles between March and October this year as he attempted to commit the same crime again.

The offence came to light after an alert Zimra official who was processing documents for another vehicle Chibongore wanted to import realized that he had outstanding acquittals for five other vehicles. The official alerted the police as he was processing the TIP resulting in the man's arrest.

Under the Temporary Import Permit facility, foreigners or Zimbabweans based in other countries are allowed to bring their vehicles into the country duty free for 30 days only. If they wish to extend their stay in the country, they are required to renew the TIP.

Chibongore appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Innocent Bepura yesterday charged with contravening a section of the Customs and Excise Act.

He admitted to the charge and was remanded in custody to November 3.