Andrew
Beitbridge Bureau
The National Security Task Force (NTF) on Friday arrested nine alleged cigarettes smugglers who reportedly attempted to bribe a senior army officer with R10 000 along the Zimbabwe-South Africa border.
The suspects — Popular Ndou (35), Mashudu Moyo (19), Fred Ncube (34), Fredyman Moyo (38), Edwin Ndou (27), Joyman Muleya (24), Bibian Nsingo (18), Tavonga Moyo (27), and Joel Masevhe (21) — were arrested in the Zwaphele area close to the Limpopo River.
The taskforce also arrested another man and seized a boat he was using to transport illegal migrants and goods across the flooded river.
Although police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi was not readily available for comment, security sources close to investigations said the suspects were now in police custody.
“Our members of the security forces deployed under the operation ‘No to Cross-Border Crimes’ arrested the suspects on allegations of smuggling cigarettes on Friday evening,” said an official.
“Popular Ndou was also charged for attempting to bribe a senior army officer with R10 000 for him to release a vehicle that was carrying 11 boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes, which were packed in four sacks for easy transportation across the river.
“During the same operation, Alfred Muleya was arrested when he was found with an eight-seater boat at the riverfront.”
The officials said they were also pursuing the driver of a Toyota Hiace vehicle with registration number AFK 9811 who disappeared into the bush under the cover of darkness when the vehicle was stopped by the security team. The vehicle was loaded with boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes.
Nine cigarettes porters who were in the vehicle were immediately arrested.
Zimbabwe and South Africa have tightened security on the border to thwart illegal activities, especially smuggling and the irregular movement of people between the two countries. The operation has resulted in the arrest of over 90 000 people for illegal border crossing and smuggling-related crimes between January and December last year.
Authorities say migrants are using over 200 illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River to enter or leave and smuggle goods into the country.
The most common crossing points are Mai Maria, Dite, Panda Mine, River Ranch, Dulivhadzimu Gorge, Spillway and Tshivhara.
Online Reporter