adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
THE Joint Operation Command (JOC) team from Matabeleland South is investigating claims that a group of Botswana soldiers entered Zimbabwe and harassed a group of smugglers in Nswazi area, Bulilima District.Godzanani Maphosa recently made a report at Madlambuzi Police Station that a group of Botswana soldiers confiscated his truck and attempted to shoot him while in Zimbabwe.
A senior police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter confirmed that a report had been made and investigations were underway.
In his report, Maphosa a local businessman alleged that he was driving his truck when he met soldiers from the neighbouring country who threatened him.
He said the soldiers demanded to know why he was travelling alone in the bushes, but when he told them he was looking for his missing cattle, they accused him of smuggling.
In the report, Maphosa said as he was driving off, the soldiers fired warning shots in the air and threatened to shoot him if he did not stop and when he complied they confiscated his truck leaving him in the bush.
He then proceeded to Madlambuzi Police Station to make a report.
Following the filing of the report, the security services under the banner of the Joint Operations Command (Joc) launched an investigation into the issue.
The senior police source said investigations by the Joc team revealed that Maphosa was part of a smuggling syndicate that was illegally transporting goods from Botswana into Zimbabwe.
The investigations are to establish whether Maphosa was apprehended while on the Zimbabwean side or on the Botswana side.
“Joc members engaged Botswana officials who revealed that the soldiers arrested Maphosa while he was trying to smuggle goods from the neighbouring country. They arrested him and his counterpart who is in the custody of Botswana police and the truck he was travelling in was confiscated,” the senior police officer said.
“They denied threatening or harassing Maphosa and indicated that he was arrested while on the Botswana side.”
The National House of Assembly Member for Bulilima West, Lungisani Nleya said he had received a report on the issue and added that the issue was being investigated by the authorities.
“I heard that there is a businessman from the area who had an encounter with a group of soldiers from Botswana and the issue is under investigation. It appears that the man who is involved was caught by Botswana soldiers while trying to smuggle goods,” he said.
derick.khumalo