ACC charges Chipata businessman, company over alleged K80,000 VAT fraud

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Chipata has jointly charged a businessman and a company for alleged corrupt practices involving K80,000.

Kopa Muyabala, Director of Lukomi Enterprises Limited, aged 54, of house No. 11 off Lusaka Road Silverest Gardens, Lusaka and Lukomi Enterprises Limited have been jointly charged with three counts arising from the alleged unlawful acquisition of funds charged as Value Added Tax (VAT).

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, ACC Acting Head of Corporate Communications, Chilufya Chisanga, confirmed the arrest of Muyabala.

In count one, it is alleged that between August 1, 2013 and July 31, 2015, Muyabala, being a Director of Lukomi Enterprises Limited, and Lukomi Enterprises Limited, a company limited by shares, corruptly acquired public funds amounting to K80,000.

This was believed to be VAT during the construction of a perimeter wall fence at DK Stadium in Chipata for the Provincial Administration, despite the company not being registered for VAT with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), contrary to Section 34(1)(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.

Additionally, in count two, Muyabala, in his capacity as Director of Lukomi Enterprises Limited, and Lukomi Enterprises Limited have been jointly charged with failure to apply for VAT registration, contrary to Section 29(a) of the Value Added Tax Act, Chapter 331 of the Laws of Zambia.

Further, in count three, Muyabala and Lukomi Enterprises Limited have been jointly charged with falsely presenting Lukomi Enterprises Limited as a taxable supplier when the company was not registered with the Zambia Revenue Authority.

“This is contrary to Section 29(c) of the Value Added Tax Act, Chapter 331 of the Laws of Zambia,” Chisanga said.

Muyabala has since been released on bond and is expected to appear in court soon.

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