Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
Three thousand four hundred and eighty kilogrammes of sausage, 810 kilogrammes of chicken cuts and 40 kilogrammes of polony have been seized by ZIMRA.
This was part of a consignment of 4,3-tonnes of smuggled meat which was intercepted at an illegal crossing point in Beitbridge.
Authorities are warning the public against buying meat that may have bypassed critical health and safety checks.
ZIMRA yesterday said the seizure was made possible through the vigilance of border security stakeholders as authorities intensify the fight against smuggling.
The haul comprised 3 480kg of sausages, 810kg of chicken cuts and 40kg of polony.
ZIMRA said the consignment had none of the required biosafety, veterinary and Control of Goods permits needed for the products to enter the country legally.
Some of the products also require an import licence from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
In a statement, ZIMRA said: “Protecting our communities is at the heart of this intervention. “This intervention is about more than stopping smuggling.
“It is about protecting our communities and ensuring that meat entering the country complies with the required safety and regulatory standards.”
The authority said meat imports must comply with the necessary biosafety, veterinary and Control of Goods requirements, while certain products require additional import licences.
“We urge the public to buy meat from licensed retailers and never buy or support the trade in smuggled goods,” added the statement.
Authorities say smuggled meat can pose serious health risks because it bypasses official inspection and cold-chain requirements designed to keep meat safe for consumption.
Unregulated meat can potentially carry diseases that threaten both people and livestock.
The illegal trade also hurts legitimate businesses and local producers who meet regulatory requirements and operate within the law.
The latest seizure comes as Beitbridge remains a major hotspot for cross-border smuggling because of its busy border with South Africa.
Security teams have stepped up patrols at the official border and along known illegal crossing points in an effort to close routes used by smugglers.
The latest operation forms part of wider efforts to stop the illegal movement of goods, protect consumers and safeguard legitimate businesses.
Authorities are also urging members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid buying meat from unlicensed sources, particularly where the origin and handling of the products cannot be verified.
