Zambia Revenue Authority Faces Defamation Suit from Mashrock Mining
Mashrock Mining Limited finds itself embroiled in a legal dispute with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), alleging defamation and demanding $5 million in damages to its business reputation.
The heart of the matter, filed in the Lusaka High Court, revolves around an article published on the official ZRA page, later disseminated across various media platforms.
Titled “ZRA unearths tax evasion scheme involving over K82 million,” the article implicates Mashrock Mining Limited in alleged tax evasion activities.
The mining company contends that these publications occurred amidst ongoing investigations by the ZRA into its tax affairs, without formal notice or communication to the company, thereby breaching standard investigative procedures.
Despite issuing a demand letter to ZRA seeking a retraction of the media statement and citing injury to its business reputation and ensuing losses, Mashrock Mining Limited claims ZRA has not responded.
Instead, ZRA’s officers purportedly continued to harass and intimidate the company’s directors and agents under the guise of investigative procedures.
In April 2024, upon request from Dangote Cement Limited, ZRA issued a Tax Clearance Certificate to Mashrock Mining Limited, indicating compliance with tax regulations.
However, alleged harassment, intimidation, and earlier defamatory publications reportedly led to contract cancellations, business arrangement disruptions, and financial losses.
Seeking recourse, Mashrock Mining Limited is pursuing several reliefs, including an immediate retraction of defamatory publications, a public apology, an injunction against ZRA from similar publications, compensatory damages totaling $5,175,670, and interest on all due damages.
SOURCE:zambiaminitor.com
