Chinese Businesswoman Li Song’s Accomplice Appears In Court Following Fraud Allegations
By Staff Reporter
Chinese businesswoman Li Song’s accomplice who was on the run following allegations of fraud was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on Friday and she has appeared in court.
Benardate Mukuku, 35, appeared before Harare magistrate Apollonia Marutya. She was granted USD$150 bail and the matter remanded to 26 June.
The complainant in this matter is the state represented by Francesco Marconati, Managing Director DGL9 Investments (PVT) Limited.
Mukuku is a former employee of DGL 5 Investments (PVT) Limited.
The State represented by Thomas Chanakira alleges that sometime in 2023, Song, a former Director made an application to Zimbabwe Revenue Authority for some rebates on the intended importation of Sodium Cyanide and Hydrated Lime.
Song reportedly tasked Mukuku to make some follow-ups with the ZIMRA on the approval of the rebate applications.
ZIMRA station manager, Bulawayo Port approved the rebate applications on 17 APRIL 2023 for four consignments of 18.7 MT and 27.5 MT of Sodium Cyanide, valued at US$ 131 670-0 and 23.7MT and 30MT of Hydrated Lime, valued at US$ 13 425-00 and the approval letters were addressed to DGL 9 Investments (PVT) Limited, copied to Mukuku.
Further allegations are that acting in connivance with Song, using DGL9 Investments (PVT) Limited name, Mukuku imported the hydrated lime from Mauritius through the Chirundu Border Post and the Sodium Cyanide from Mauritius through Forbes Border Post.
Mukuku together with Li Song reportedly misrepresented to ZIMRA on the declaration documents that the consignments were being imported by DGL9 Investments (PVT) Limited.
It is the State’s case that Mukuku is a former employee and did not have any authority to apply for rebate and import the goods on behalf of DGL9 Investments (PVT) Limited.
The imported Hydrated Lime and Sodium Cyanide was allegedly never delivered or used at DGL9 Investments (PVT) Limited as per requirement of the rebate.
Due to the misrepresentation, ZIMRA was prejudiced of approximately US40 000.00 in duty and DGL9 Investments (PVT) Limited was prejudiced of its reputation and good administration.
