Fatshimetrie, October 26, 2024 – A recent operation to cordon off vehicles without license plates in Bunia, Ituri, has uncovered a surprising practice at customs. Indeed, several vehicles were fraudulently declared as basic necessities. The provincial commissioner of the PNC/Ituri, Divisional Commissioner Ngoy Sengelwa, revealed that out of the 85 vehicles taken into custody, some had been falsely declared as juice, rice, or PVC, products completely unrelated to their real nature. This discovery raises questions about the integrity of customs declarations and the illegal practices that can surround the importation of vehicles into the region.
The authorities have stressed that these false declarants are liable to severe sanctions, requiring them not only to regularize the situation of their vehicles with customs, but also to answer for their actions before the courts. The Divisional Commissioner highlighted the fact that obtaining license plates is no longer limited to a simple administrative formality, but now requires compliance with the system in place, managed by the DGI. False declarations and the use of forged documents are serious offences that will be dealt with by the competent judicial authorities.
Furthermore, this operation had a positive impact on the sale of license plates, with nearly 300 units sold in one month. This dynamic has enabled the DGI to improve its revenue and thus contribute to the funds necessary for the functioning of the government. The Divisional Commissioner welcomed the impressive figures related to the sales of plates, stressing that awareness among vehicle owners is growing, encouraging them to comply with the law and thus contribute more fairly to the country’s economy.
In short, this operation has not only made it possible to regulate the region’s vehicle fleet, but also to highlight illegal practices that sometimes surround the importation of vehicles. The authorities remain vigilant in the face of these attempts at fraud and intend to make the sector more transparent and compliant with current regulations.