Three Convicted Over False Registration and Transport Offences In Manyanya Oils Case

The Nakonde Magistrates’ Court has delivered further convictions arising from a joint enforcement operation involving Manyanya Oils Limited, its Director and main shareholder Charles Sinkamba, and Site Supervisor Martha Nakamba.

The latest judgment, delivered on 24 July 2026, relates to traffic and cross-border transport offences identified during an operation conducted on 11 March 2026 by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC)-led Task Force on Fuel Smuggling and Illegal Fuel Vending, in collaboration with the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) and the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA).

Manyanya Oils Limited is a licensed Oil Marketing Company.

Sinkamba, aged 23, and Nakamba, aged 28, pleaded guilty to the charges and were convicted by the Nakonde Magistrates’ Court, which imposed fines in accordance with the law.

The convictions relate to three offences:

1. Failure to produce a motor vehicle for customs declaration, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act No. 8 of 2022.

2. Being in charge of a vehicle bearing false registration marks, contrary to Section 29(2) of the Road Traffic Act, Chapter 464 of the Laws of Zambia.

3. Cross-border transportation without a permit, contrary to Section 232A(1)(c) of the Road Traffic Act.

During the enforcement operation, the Task Force seized a Scania tanker horse bearing registration number AJD 6372, which was attached to a tanker trailer bearing the false registration number AIE 7102. The trailer was registered to another entity.

The latest convictions are in addition to earlier convictions secured for petroleum-related offences arising from the same enforcement operation.

The DEC-led Task Force said the successful prosecution demonstrates the effectiveness of the multi-agency approach in addressing fuel smuggling, illegal fuel vending and related offences.

The agencies have reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing petroleum, customs and road transport laws and holding offenders accountable.

They have also cautioned transporters, fleet owners and motorists against using false registration marks, operating without valid permits and breaching other legal requirements.

Oil Marketing Companies, fuel transporters and other industry stakeholders have further been reminded to comply with licensing requirements, fuel marking regulations and petroleum legislation.

The authorities warned that violations, including fuel smuggling, illegal diversion of petroleum products and unauthorised fuel vending, will attract regulatory measures and criminal proceedings.