A Chinese businesswoman, Li Song, has been brought before the court on charges of fraud for allegedly avoiding payment of customs duty amounting to US$40,000 after importing chemicals into Zimbabwe.

Li Song, aged 53, appeared briefly before Harare Magistrate Dennis Mangosi recently and was not required to enter a plea. She was granted bail set at US$300 and was remanded to June 27 for routine proceedings.

As part of her bail conditions, Li Song has been instructed to report to the police once every two weeks and is prohibited from interfering with witnesses until the conclusion of her case.

The complainant in the matter is Francesco Marconati, the former managing director of DGL 9 Investments (Pvt) Ltd and DGL 5 Investment.

According to the allegations, in 2023, Li Song applied to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) for rebates to import sodium cyanide and hydrated lime. She purportedly tasked her associate, Bernadete Mukuku, a former employee of DGL 5 Investment, to follow up with ZIMRA regarding the approval of the rebate application letter.

The application was reportedly sanctioned by the ZIMRA station manager at Bulawayo Port for consignments of sodium cyanide, utilizing the name DGL 9 Investments, with Mukuku also notified.

“The consignments of the chemicals were imported from Mauritius to Zimbabwe under DGL 9 Investments with the assistance of Mukuku thereby deceiving ZIMRA,” stated Thomas Chanakira, representing the State.

Consequently, due to this misrepresentation, Li Song allegedly evaded paying duty for the consignment and failed to deliver the chemicals to the company whose name was utilized for the importation.

In the course of committing the offense, DGL 9 Investments purportedly suffered damage to its reputation and operations.