adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
TEN people appeared in a Plumtree court for smuggling yesterday as a magistrate said the cases had become a cause for concern in the border town. Magistrate Livard Philemon said this after the court handled 10 smuggling cases yesterday and all the crimes were committed on the same day. On average the Plumtree magistrates’ court handles about 70 smuggling cases a month.
In yesterday’s cases, all the 10 people pleaded guilty and magistrate Philemon ordered them to pay varying fines ranging between $100 and $200.
The magistrate declined to give them a grace period to pay the fines saying they had a tendency of lying and conning the State.
“Smugglers have become a nuisance; if you can’t afford to pay a fine immediately then you will go to prison as this court will not be granting smugglers a grace period to pay their fines,” said the magistrate as he addressed one of the smugglers, Tafadzwa Mhengu.
“Smugglers are liars. They promise to pay their fines but they disappear with State money.” The group of smugglers were intercepted at the 99 kilometre peg along the Plumtree- Bulawayo Road while travelling in a Harare-bound, Khanda Bus.
The smuggled goods comprised clothing, footwear and electric appliances.
Prosecuting, Elisha Mazorodze said the smuggled goods which were on the bus were valued at P24, 000 while the money the State was prejudiced of amounted to $1,800.
He said the smugglers passed through the border on Wednesday and some of the passengers remained in the bus without going through the immigration formalities.
Detectives who were at the border received a tip off that the bus was carrying smuggled goods and they alerted police officers manning a road block to intercept it.
The smugglers Dick Margaret, 32, Catherine Mukunyadze, 27, Constance Morris, 32, Faith Phiri, 23, Berry Chinda, 24, Mandla Moyo, 30, Norest Raviro, 30, Tedious Gwandu, 26, Susan Morris, 32 and Tafadzwa Mhengu, 25 pointed out in their defence that they committed the crimes to raise income.
They said hardships had compelled them to smuggle goods.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo