Fountain of Victory International Church and Ministries has defended its founder, Apostle Joseph Yorum Ziba who was arrested for non-payment of duty on his motor vehicle by the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) on Wednesday saying he is a victim of organized criminal activities within the system of second hand car trading.
Ziba was arrested together with Taezib Aziz on allegation that he evaded tax during the purchase of a vehicle, a 2014 Range Rover Sport, Registration Number TO 8368.
The preacher was released on Thursday by the Blantyre Magistrate Court upon payment of a bail bond of Mk200, 000.
In a statement released to the press by the Church’s Public Relations Director Wanangwa Nthara said Ziba is a law abiding citizen.
“The said motor vehicle was previously owned by a Mr. Tayub Aziz And had at the time of the acquisition, been registered and used by the said owner for close to a year here in Malawi.
“The information available to the Man of God at the time was that this vehicle was properly registered and that the all necessary clearance documents including Customs clearance certificate for motor vehicle, Interpol clearance certificate and the motor vehicle Registration were presented and that there were no encumbrances attached to the vehicle whatsoever,” wrote Nthala.
He added: “We believe that once a seller has produced the above mentioned documents the assumption is that all the necessary obligationshave been properly met.
“We therefore, categorically put it on record that The Apostle is an innocent victim ofa well-calculated and well-organized criminal activities within the system of second hand car trading.”
Meanwhile MRA confiscated the said vehicle.
