Mutare man jailed for smuggling secondhand clothes

Langelihle Nyathi, langae2001@gmail,com
Vitalis Katayi, a 28-year-old man from Mutare, Manicaland Province has been sentenced to an effective five months imprisonment for smuggling second-hand clothes bales.
Katayi was convicted at the Mutare Magistrates’ Court after he failed to provide proper documentation for the smuggled second-hand clothes.

He was also found in contempt for violating Customs and Excise Act.
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe revealed that Katayi was found in possession of five bales of undeclared second-hand clothes and shoes, which were seized by detectives from the Mutare CID department on 18 February 2025.

He was intercepted while driving a white Honda Fit from Mozambique.
Katayi, who is said to have fled the scene, abandoning his vehicle and contraband was later apprehended and his goods seized by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).