Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
SECURITY forces’ sustained efforts to combat rampant smuggling of goods into the country through the porous Mozambican border is bearing positive results following the arrest of three suspects who were smuggling cement last week.
In the first incident, police arrested Simbarashe Taruona (43) of Gaza A, Chipinge for allegedly smuggling a truckload of cement through an illegal entry point at Southdown Estate.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the arrest of Taruona for allegedly smuggling cement worth US$2 000.
“On November 14, at around 7pm, police received a tip-off that cement was being smuggled at Southdown illegal crossing point along the Zimbabwe and Mozambique border. Reacting to the information, a police team proceeded to Southdown Estate where they intercepted a Nissan UD80 truck, Registration Number AGQ6626, red and white in colour, owned by Admire Mangwende of Gaza A, Chipinge being driven by Taruona.
“The truck was loaded with 180×50 kilogramme bags of (Cimentos de CEM 11/A-L 42.25) cement manufactured in Mozambique. Upon interrogations, the accused stated that he had bought the cement at Maridheya Business Centre in Mozambique, and that the cement belonged to Itai Sithole, a female aged 42 of ZBS, Chipinge.
“The vehicle was impounded, and driven to ZRP Chipinge Rural, where it is being held pending seizure by Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). The value of the smuggled cement is US$2 180,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka further confirmed that a joint team of Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe National Army officers also arrested Honest Sithole (27) and Charles Sithole (42) of Gaza, Chipinge for allegedly smuggling cement from Mozambique.
“On November 15, at around 1am, security forces comprising Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe National Army officers laid an ambush, and intercepted a Hino truck, Registration Number AGX 223, and a silver and yellow Honda Fit, Registration Number AFL8369 coming from the Mozambique direction.
“The Hino truck was being driven by Charles, and the Honda Fit was being driven by Honest who was escorting the contraband. The vehicles were stopped, and a search was conducted. About 200x50kgs of cement were recovered from the Hino truck and nothing was recovered from the Honda Fit. The accused persons failed to produce the relevant papers, leading to their arrest. The two motor vehicles were impounded. The total smuggled cement is valued at US$2 400. Investigations are underway,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka warned people against using unofficial entry and exist points.
He also added that all goods must be properly declared at official entry points.
