Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
SOUTH Africa police have arrested two Zimbabweans in Thabazimbi, Limpopo Province, after seizing a contraband shipment of mbanje with a street value of nearly R500 000.
The arrests that were facilitated by local farmers from Koedoeskop occurred on Thursday around 10am.
Colonel Malasela Ledwaba, the Limpopo police spokesperson, confirmed the arrests to the Sunday News stating that the suspects, aged 25 and 39 were travelling in a commercial truck at the time of their apprehension.
“Based on actionable intelligence, police implemented an operation that successfully identified the suspects, who were driving a truck with two trailers,” Col Ledwaba reported.
Upon stopping the vehicle, the police conducted a thorough search, uncovering 106 small bags, 10 larger bags and two refuse bags filled with loose dagga.
In total, the drugs weighed approximately 148,5kg.
The white Scania truck and its trailers were also seized.
Col Ledwaba said the two suspects will soon appear at the local magistrate’s court, where they will face charges related to possession and trafficking of dagga adding that investigations are ongoing.
Recent trends indicate a surge in drug trafficking, particularly the smuggling of mbanje (skunk) from South Africa through the Limpopo River or via cross-border transporters, commonly known as omalayitsha. These drugs are believed to be destined for high-density suburbs in Bulawayo and Harare.
In a related incident, a 33-year-old woman from Mbare, Harare was sentenced to five years in prison by a Beitbridge magistrate after being caught with 6,3kg of mbanje smuggled from South Africa.
Brenda Chipfunde was arrested on 7 February 2025 while attempting to hitch a ride back to Harare.
She pleaded guilty to violating the Dangerous Drugs Act and received a sentence of four years and two months after 10 months of her five-year sentence was conditionally suspended.
According to the prosecutor, Mr Tawanda Chigavazira, police detectives on patrol received a tip-off regarding Chipfunde’s activities.
They tracked her to a hiking spot along the Beitbridge to Harare Road, where they searched her luggage and discovered 12 cobs of mbanje concealed in a duvet.
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, during a recent visit to Beitbridge, expressed the Government’s concern over the rising issue of drug and substance abuse in the country.
He highlighted the potential dangers this problem poses to the youth and announced the formation of an Inter-Ministerial Committee aimed at developing strategies to address it.
To combat drug trafficking, the Government has also set up four Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Drugs and Narcotics Units at border posts at Beitbridge, Victoria Falls, Chirundu and Mutare.
Advanced technologies such as drones are being deployed alongside traditional methods to enhance border security and mitigate smuggling.
