Customs official and clearing agent also charged
THESE SHOES were meant for walking, and they strode into a container full of trouble for an importer, a customs official and a clearing agent in Gauteng.
The trio appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court last week facing charges of attempting to defraud the South African Revenue Services of almost R1 million in import duty after a container had passed through customs, having been documented as a consignment of 820 cartons of hand tools.
But when it was opened it was packed with shoes, all with a far higher value than tools.
The importer, Wei Ping Lu, owns a Durban shop, although he is resident in Gauteng. He appeared along with Johannes de Villiers and Dennis Williams, who allegedly cleared the container.
The trio have also been charged with corruption. The case has been set down for trial from January 29 next year.
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