Online Reporter
Towards the end of 2024, the Government intensified efforts to combat the illegal movement of goods across the country’s borders.
Smuggling has long been a significant challenge, severely undermining the economy, crippling local industries, and stifling revenue collection.
The anti-smuggling campaign is a response to alarming statistics indicating that Zimbabwe is losing about $1 billion in revenue annually due to smuggling activities.
Most of the smuggled goods include illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages, cement, clothing, footwear, dairy products, diapers, electrical appliances, processed meat, motor spares and detergents, etcetera.
At the heart of this initiative is the National Anti-smuggling Task Force, which has already seized millions of dollars’ worth of contraband in collaboration with the ZRP and Zimra.
Recognising the complexity of the issue, authorities have adopted a multifaceted approach in the anti-smuggling campaign.
This includes strengthening border controls, enhancing customs enforcement, improving transparency and accountability, and implementing economic policies that support local industries and reduce the incentives for smuggling.
Multi-agency 24-hour roadblocks are mounted across the country’s ten provinces to inspect vehicles for smuggled goods and ensure compliance with customs regulations.
The Government has recognized that smuggling not only undermines the economy but also poses significant risks to public health and safety, as many smuggled goods evade necessary health regulations
Those caught on the wrong side of the law will face severe penalties to deter future offenses.
2 100 bottles of Broncleer intercepted
A Harare suspected drug dealer who was found in possession of 2 100 bottles of Broncleer cough syrup appeared in court last week facing allegations of unlawful possession of unregistered drugs.
Rodrick Chambe appeared before Harare magistrate Winfilder Tiatara and was remanded in custody.
The court heard that on April 1 at around 8 pm, detectives from the CID Drugs and Narcotics Division in Harare received a tip-off that a South Africa-registered Toyota Quantum was transporting a suspicious consignment from Bulawayo to Harare.
Acting on the information, the detectives intercepted the vehicle at the Kadoma tollgate at around 10 pm.
The driver revealed that the consignment was destined for Harare and was to be collected by Chambe.
At around 0300 hours on April 2, detectives lured Chambe to Harare Showgrounds, making him believe his consignment was ready for collection.
Upon his arrival, Chambe was arrested, and the vehicle was taken to Harare Central Police Station.
The police recovered 42 boxes containing 2 100 bottles of 100ml Broncleer cough syrup.
The consignment, with an estimated street value of US$16 400, was seized and handed over to the CID Drugs and Narcotics Division.
4 tonnes of smuggled chicken seized, destroyed
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) last wek intercepted a truck laden with four tonnes of chicken cuts, believed to have been smuggled from South Africa through Beitbridge Border Post.
The operation took place near Mahusekwa Business Centre in Mashonaland East Province.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the chicken cuts were not declared or subjected to duty at the border post, where they were supposed to be processed.
Seven people were arrested in connection with this alleged smuggling incident, and the contraband was destroyed in Marondera last Tuesday.
Zacc’s investigations manager, Mr Lovemore Findi, said the operation was initiated after a tip-off from an anonymous whistle-blower.
“We received information about contraband meat entering through Beitbridge, leading us to set up a team that successfully intercepted the goods at Mahusekwa.”
With the assistance of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zacc apprehended the suspects involved in the smuggling operation. The intercepted goods, which included chicken cuts and some beef liver, were taken to Marondera Police Station.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care were involved in the destruction of the contraband at a dumpsite.
