NEW: Police recover smuggled goods, re-emphasises the fight in combating smuggling

Violet Chenyika

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have confirmed the recovery of smuggled goods following a tip-off regarding trucks that illegally crossed into the country through unauthorised points known as Monarch in the Penhalonga area in Mutare on Saturday last week.

In a statement on Monday, the ZRP said the goods included bales of second-hand clothes, bags of groundnuts and brand new shovels.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the recovery of smuggled goods comprising 211 bales of second hand clothes, 27x 50kg bags of groundnuts and 60 brand new shovels at an illegal point known as Monarch, Penhalonga area, Mutare on 12 October 2024,” said the police.

Investigations from the police has established that the Scania truck with registration number AFJ 2423, belongs to Back Pack Safari in Gweru, while the Nissan UD Truck with registration number ABH 7305 is registered in the name J Mapuview Private Limited in Chivi and there was a cell phone suspected to belong to the driver, Fredrick Cendrick Chemuserera.

The police aim to curb illegal activities and ensure that those involved are held accountable.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that there is no going back in the fight against smuggling activities at all the country’s points of entry and exit.

“Criminal syndicates who are using undesignated and illegal points to smuggle goods into the country will be decisively dealt with according to the country’s law.

“In the same vein, the Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Edmore Gopo, a Mutare-based suspect who is linked to the smuggling activities,” said the ZRP.