COURT CONVICTS GMX SYSTEMS ZAMBIA LIMITED AND TWO INDIVIDUALS IN DRONE IMPORTATION CASE
1 November 2026 …The Economic and Financial Crimes Court sitting in Chongwe has convicted GMX Systems Zambia Limited, Aminadav Bardavid and Aaron Ngoma in a customs case involving the importation of drones. The court ordered the company to pay over K2.1 million in outstanding taxes in addition to a fine. Six other defendants were acquitted on all counts.
The court delivered judgment on Friday, 30 October 2026. The case concerned false representations and the importation of goods without a customs entry under the Customs and Excise Act, Chapter 322 of the Laws of Zambia.
The prosecution alleged that falsified invoices were used to understate tax on imports and that the company brought drones into Zambia without submitting the required customs entries or paying the taxes due. It further alleged that Bardavid and Ngoma falsely told the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) that drones intended for GMX Systems Limited in Israel had been sent to Zambia in error, when GMX Systems Zambia Limited was the actual importer.
The court imposed the following sentences:
• GMX Systems Zambia Limited was fined K30,000 per count, with a warrant of distress in default of payment. The order to pay the outstanding taxes was separate from the fine.
• Aminadav Bardavid was fined K20,000 on each of 19 counts, totalling K380,000, with 12 months’ simple imprisonment in default of payment.
• Aaron Ngoma was fined K10,000 on each of four counts, totalling K40,000, with six months’ simple imprisonment in default of payment.
The court acquitted Jacqueline Ngoma Okhumode, Teddy Nondo, Gary Mushimbwa, Alinjanvwa Bwalya, Ackron Mulela and Getrude Manda on all counts.
The Authority has strengthened its monitoring of customs declarations to detect tax fraud and reminds importers to submit the required customs entries, provide accurate invoices and declarations, and pay the taxes due.
Issued by:
Oliver Nzala
Manager- ZRA Corporate Communications