Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Check Point Desk
POLICE in Matabeleland South Province have arrested two suspects, who allegedly smuggled five bales of mbanje from South Africa, weighing 310kg and with an estimated street value of R200 000.
The suspects, Tinashe Chivende (27) of Dulibadzimu in Beitbridge, and his accomplice Emmanuel Runesu, also from Dulibadzimu, were reportedly transporting the drugs to Harare, according to Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Chiratidzo Dube.
She stated that on June 28 at around 2:30am, police received a tip-off that a grey Toyota Wish (registration number AEQ 3565), driven by Chivende, was suspected of transporting dangerous drugs. The vehicle was allegedly using the Mazunga dust road to avoid the Makado Security roadblock, en route to Mberengwa, Zvishavane, Masvingo and ultimately Harare.
Acting on the information, police proceeded to Bubye Valley Conservancy, where they teamed up with Mazunga Game Rangers. Upon arrival, they intercepted the vehicle, signalled it to stop and conducted a search, which led to the recovery of five bales and 11 cobs of mbanje inside the vehicle.
“The suspects and their vehicle, along with the recovered mbanje, were taken to ZRP Makado Post/Zezani for further management,” said Insp Dube.
She said that during interviews, the suspects confessed that the drugs had been smuggled from South Africa via an illegal crossing point along the Limpopo River. They claimed to have received the contraband from an individual known only as “Jaiden” (NFPK), based in Musina, South Africa.
“The suspects said they were to be given the delivery address in Harare by Jaiden upon arrival. They were each paid US$300 and provided with a full tank of fuel for the round trip,” said Insp Dube.
The recovered dagga was weighed at Zimpost Beitbridge in the presence of the suspects, with a recorded total weight of 307.568kg. A certificate of weight was issued.
Insp Dube affirmed that police in the province remain committed to the fight against drugs.
“ZRP Matabeleland South will continue conducting patrols and drug searches at ports of entry and within communities to combat the drug menace. We commend members of the public for reporting drug-related activities to the police.
“We assure the public that all information provided will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” she said.
Last month, detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics intercepted a haulage truck at Bubi roadblock and arrested its driver, Temptation Guzhira (41), for unlawful possession of dagga and 289 bottles of Broncleer cough syrup.
In the same month, a truck driver, Philip Gangata (53), was arrested at Beitbridge Border Post with 50 boxes of Broncleer cough syrup (100ml bottles). Police operations also led to the arrests of Brighton Bongiseni (36) and Pardon Mutsvairo (34) at the Northbound Buses searching bay at Beitbridge Border Post, where they were found in possession of 222 bottles of Broncleer hidden in two 20-litre containers.
Cases involving the arrest of drug traffickers carrying large quantities of contraband continue to rise. A few years ago, a Venezuelan woman was arrested at Robert Mugabe International Airport with 5kg of cocaine worth US$469 000 concealed in her luggage, en route from Brazil.
