adminThe copper was being smuggled into South Africa.
The three incidents occurred between Monday and Tuesday in which some of the contraband were hidden in tyres.
The Zimra spokesperson, Mr Canisio Mudzimu, said the first incident occurred on Monday during which a truck intending to cross the border into South Africa was intercepted by customs officials while in the process of trying to smuggle 226 kilogrammes of scrap copper out of the country.
He said the contraband worth R15 560 was concealed in a tyre disguised as a spare wheel.
“We have since established that most of the copper belonged to TelOne and upon arrest, the driver’s explanation was that he had offered transport to the female owner of the tyres, who, he claimed, was taking them to South Africa for repair.
“Both the driver and the passenger were arrested and they are in police custody,” he said.
In the second incident, which occurred on Tuesday, Zimra officials intercepted a truck carrying 610kg of the stolen copper.
“The truck was trying to smuggle 610 kilogrammes of stolen copper cables hidden in two tyres. When we took the truck to the scanners, we discovered copper worth R36 000 hidden in the two tyres,” he said.
The cables were stolen from Zesa.
“We intercepted the third truck within hours of discovering the 610 kilogrammes of copper from the second truck and it weighed 337 kilogrammes valued at R20 226, which was hidden under a folded tent,” said Mr Mudzimu.
Police confirmed the arrests, saying they were continuing with investigations.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon while a manhunt for their accomplices has since been launched.
“As Zimra, we have noted that theft, vandalism and smuggling of copper cables are derailing the economic recovery process and hence we are responding to the proliferation of these vices by making smuggling a profitless enterprise through innovative strategies,” said Mr Mudzimu.
He said they were working with police in curbing rampant smuggling at the country’s border posts.
Online Reporter