Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
A 37-YEAR-OLD man believed to be part of a syndicate using fake date stamps to clear goods and travellers at Beitbridge Border Post has been arrested and fined $30 000.
Brian Zaranyika of 689 Baobab, Beitbridge Town was busted by border security on Friday evening at his office near the Port Health section in the border town.
He was found with four fake date stamps for the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and the Port Health section.
Zaranyika was convicted on his own plea of guilty for possession of articles for crime when he appeared before Beitbridge resident Magistrate Mr Takudzwa Gwazemba.
In default of paying the fine, he risks imprisonment of two months.
A further four months of the sentence were conditionally suspended for five years, while the four fake date stamps were forfeited to the State.
Prosecuting, Mr Ronald Mugwagwa told the court that, Zaranyika was in the habit of processing travellers and goods in the border using the fake date stamps.
He was then spotted by some travellers who advised the border security agents on 15 December.
Zaranyika was then put on surveillance until his arrest near the Port Health section on Friday evening.
A search was then conducted leading to the discovery of a fake Port Health, Zimra manifest control, Zimra private import counters and motor insurance pool date stamps, laptop and a printer.
The use of fake customs and immigration stamps is common at the Beitbridge Border Post, where border authorities have arrested over 10 people in the last 12 months.
It is understood that the syndicates are using the stamps to illegally extend the stay of travellers in either country.
An ordinary Zimbabwe is allowed a stay for not more than 90 days per calendar year in South Africa.
South Africans are allowed a stay of 30 days per each visit to Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter