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Thupeyo Muleya–Beitbridge Bureau
A police officer seconded to the national security task force that is enforcing anti cross border crimes along the country’s border with South Africa was yesterday shot and injured by seven cigarettes smugglers he encountered while on patrol along the Limpopo River.
The incident occurred around mid-morning near the Tshinyampanze area some few kilometres east of the Beitbridge border post.
The member of the support unit who incurred injuries on his left shoulder has since been taken to the Beitbridge district hospital for treatment.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident last night.
“The member has been taken to the hospital for treatment while we continue investigations and pursuing the suspects,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said according to initial reports, the police officer was part of a security team that was patrolling along the Limpopo River when he encountered the smugglers.
“He was the first to have an encounter with the seven cigarettes smugglers who were heading towards South Africa. When he tried to effect an arrest at the same time calling for reinforcement, the smugglers shot at him, on the left shoulder.
“When his colleagues reacted, the seven suspects had already escaped to the South African side of the Limpopo River,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said they were yet to make any arrests and warned the criminals operating along the border that the police will not fold hands and allow lawlessness.
“The law will take its course, we will not fold our hands,” he added.
The senior police officer said those people willing to do cross border related business should do so under the confines of the Customs laws regulating export and imports.
The smuggling of cigarettes from Zimbabwe into South Africa through illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River relatively increased at the beginning of April last year prompting security from both countries to intensify anti-smuggling initiatives.
Online Reporter