By PETER SICHALI and BUUMBA CHIMBULU
PEOPLE orchestrating work stoppage of clearing agents over a clearing management module should be held accountable for economic sabotage, Zambia Freight Forwarding Association (ZAFFA) President Emmanuel Mutale has said.
And the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has withdrawn its recognition of the Customs Clearing and Freight Forwarding Agents Association of Zambia (CCFFAAZ) for disrupting smooth operations of borders posts.
ZRA also warned to revoke the licences of any agents backing the association.
Mr Mutale said the work stoppage by clearing agents was premature and unnecessary therefore tantamount to economic sabotage.
Mr Mutale said clearing agents should dialogue with ZRA before resorting to work stoppage.
“Those orchestrating illegal work stoppage by agents should be held accountable for economic sabotage.
“There is nothing new on the TPIN yet and there are ongoing talks in which as ZAFFA we are part of and we are looking at ways in which it can be refined before the actual implementation,” Mr Mutale said.
He said appointment of agents by importers has been there for a long time and those causing uproar are doing so to serve their own interests.
Meanwhile, ZRA Commissioner General, Kingsley Chanda, directed his legal team to start the process of withdrawing recognition of CCFFAAZ.
“We will not tolerate anarchy and illicit political activities in the clearing industry.
“I have since directed my legal team to start the process of stopping our recognition of this clearing association for disrupting the smooth operations of our borders which is tantamount to economic sabotage,” Mr Chanda said in an interview.
Reacting to a protest by the CCFFAAZ led by its president, Mr Bruce Kaemba, Mr Chanda said ZRA would not legalise smuggling.
CCFFAAZ is protesting the introduction of the Customs Agent Management Module (CAMM) that allows exporters to appoint up to five clearing companies depending on their business needs, to act as their representatives on an online system called ASYCUDA World.
Mr Chanda explained that Mr Kaemba was fighting ZRA for suspending his company over seven months ago for alleged involvement in transit fraud and smuggling.
He warned clearing agents supporting sabotage caused by Mr Kaemba that they risked having their licences revoked.
