New hi-tech system boosts anti-smuggling drive

ADVANCED security measures, including drone surveillance systems, implemented at the Beitbridge Border Post have resulted in a significant increase in preventing smuggling and other illegal activities.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has already intercepted smuggled goods thanks to the fast cargo scanners, which were launched by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, in January.

This new order means that all potential hotspots will have increased surveillance, minimising revenue loss. More drones and fast scanners are set to be deployed to other border posts soon.

Zimra currently operates with seven drones at the Beitbridge Border Post, though more are expected. During a recent visit by the Public Accounts Committee, Zimra’s Commissioner for Customs and Excise, Mr Batsirai Chadzingwa, revealed that all 16 State warehouses at the border are overflowing with detained goods.

These goods were mostly intercepted for falling under the restricted or prohibited goods category, including illegal meat products. Other goods were seized for being smuggled, violating import or export regulations, making false declarations, or declaring incorrect customs tariff classifications.

Mr Chadzingwa explained that goods on receipt for items held (RIH) are kept in State warehouses for 60 days, while those on Notice of Seizure are kept there for 90 days. Additionally, there are various methods of disposal used to clear the warehouses, such as rummage sale, informal tender, destruction and appropriation to the State.

“In case of the appropriation of goods, the beneficiaries include Government departments, hospitals and social welfare organisations and the fresh farm produce and perishables are appropriated to local prisons and hospitals,” said Mr Chadzingwa.

Sadly, Zimra is currently struggling to keep up with the increasing interceptions and experiencing serious warehouse space shortages. However, drone technology has been successful in detecting most smuggling attempts.

Mr Chadzingwa said Zimra has limited capacity for destruction facilities, making the likes of bottled beverages particularly difficult to deal with.

As a result, some alcoholic beverages, except for Heineken products, cannot meet the requirements of Public Health Act Cap 15:17 and Food Standards Act Cap.15:04 due to high costs attached to their destruction.