News / National
Tich Mataz gets $300 fine or jail for smuggling
22 Mar 2017 at 04:08hrs | Views
Radio and television personality Tichafa Matambanadzo - popularly known as Tich Mataz was Tuesday found guilty and convicted for smuggling clothes from China by magistrate Lazini Ncube.
Matambanadzo was sentenced to 2 months imprisonment. He had pleaded not guilty to contravening the Customs and Excise Act, but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence against him.
He was, however, given an option to pay $300 before he asked for time to pay the fine.
Matambanadzo, through his lawyer Mr Godfrey Makwaye, asked for time to pay the fine, prompting Mr Ncube to ask if he was lying when he said his client has huge savings in mitigation.
The flamboyant 48-year-old was accused of under-declaring 10 suits and seven pairs of shoes to evade a $538 duty bill at the Harare International Airport (HIA), upon return from China.
"I had clothes with me when I left for China and Zimra may have miscounted. I was surprised to hear the Zimra official saying I falsely declared my goods because I filled in the declaration form under his supervision. I also had clothes that I wore in China," Matambanadzo testified.
Matambanadzo was sentenced to 2 months imprisonment. He had pleaded not guilty to contravening the Customs and Excise Act, but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence against him.
He was, however, given an option to pay $300 before he asked for time to pay the fine.
The flamboyant 48-year-old was accused of under-declaring 10 suits and seven pairs of shoes to evade a $538 duty bill at the Harare International Airport (HIA), upon return from China.
"I had clothes with me when I left for China and Zimra may have miscounted. I was surprised to hear the Zimra official saying I falsely declared my goods because I filled in the declaration form under his supervision. I also had clothes that I wore in China," Matambanadzo testified.
Source - the herald
