Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) dispels rumors circulating on the disposal of products confiscated when smuggled.
ZRA, Public Relations Manager Topsy Sikalinda said the institution works within the confines of the law and therefore has three methods of disposal auction, distract and donate the goods.
Last week, Zambia Daily Mail published an article that expressed sadness over the manner of disposal of confiscated and smuggled goods by ZRA.
Sikalinda further says that products such as alcohol are auctioned and cars are donated to government wings adding that expired and intoxicated products such as cigarettes are distracted so as protect the health of citizens.
“Products such as soap, sugar cooking oil and many other food products are taken to an independent lab where they undergo testing to ensure that what is being donated is safe for human consumption. If the product is fit for human consumption then it is donated to vulnerable institutions such as orphanages, we can’t donate any unhealthy products to the country. Products such as cigarrates are what we burn because we can’t encourage smoking as it has health complications,” Sikalinda explained.
In reference to the Chicken that was burnt, Sikalinda noted that the chicken was taken to the laboratory for testing and was found unfit for human consumption.
Meanwhile, Director of St John Paul 2, Margret Mwenzi said ZRA came through for the hospital with donations of groceries and two vehicles that the hospital uses to identify children with various disabilities and bring them to the hospital.
“We have about 900 disabled children on our record that we need to feed while they wait for treatment here. ZRA gave us donations of Cremora, cooking oil, two vehicles that help us make movements and other financial needs of the hospital,” Mwenzi revealed.
St John Paul 2 Orthopedic Mission hospital is a beneficiary of the ZRA donations. The hospital takes care and offers medical attention to children with disabilities for free.
Other beneficiaries include Maramba Old Peoples Home in Livingstone, and Luyando Orphanage in Chirundu among others.