By Rex Mphisa
IMPORTERS of cars delivered by vehicle carriers have complained they are being charged road access fees above government rates in a scam by vehicle sales companies and staff from transit shades at Beitbridge.
The scam is pushed through drivers influencing that those who have not paid the exorbitant illegal fees do not collect their vehicles attracting storage charges.
Vehicles arriving from outside Zimbabwe are levied $9 Road Access fees payable to the Department of Customs and Excise.
South Africa banned driving of pre-owned cars in that country until they are registered meaning those bought across the border are ferried by vehicle carriers.
They are delivred to Zimra authorised transit shades where they are processed and registered into the country.
In a clear scheme to fleece, the sellers of the vehicles in connivance with their drivers and staff of vehicle transit sheds are charging money that is unknown to Customs and Excise.
“You cannot collect your vehicle unless you have paid an extra amount of between $20 and $40 depending on the size of your car,” complained a man who had just imported his vehicle through a transit shed in town.
“What is most frustrating is that you are not issued with any receipt. They just take your money and most probably just share it amongst themselves,” he said.
The development has created friction between agents who buy cars on behalf of their clients and are expected to account for every cent.
“We are having problems with deliveries from all other garages except one which has maintained its reputation with above board deals. All other garages are fleecing customers and it is unpleasant,” said the agent who asked for anonymity.
He produced several copies of receipts and delivery notes and documents for cars with figures inserted by pen meaning these were not officially recorded denying the country duty due.
All expenses incurred in purchasing a vehicle from outside the country attract duty.
Copies of electronic manifests seen by Ziyah News Network showed different handwritten extra charges imposed on car buyers by Fatima Traders, Punjab Auto Dealer, Nagra Motors, Nafay Motors, M Afzaal, Wheels and Deals, Genza Motors, New Quality, Multan and Qudeer Brothers car sales.
These were charging various amounts that is never remitted to Customs and Excise as they purport.
The drivers of the car carriers hand around the transit shades where they are ready to collect the unreceipted amounts they share with transit shed staff.
A visit to one of the Transit Sheds revealed the clerks were keen to collect the amount without issuing receipts.
Quizzed by this writer the clerk said they are just instructed to collect without receipting.
Pressed further she just released the vehicle whose papers the journalist produced.