Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Mutare Bureau
FOUR Mozambicans, including a 17-year-old girl, were arrested in Burma Valley over the weekend after being intercepted while attempting to smuggle goods into Zimbabwe using unregistered motorbikes.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the arrest of Simba Joao Chimoio (23), Tinashe Mapisa (25), Albert Maramba (34), and the teenager, along the Zimbabwe–Mozambique border.
He said the group was nabbed during a joint patrol by security agents.
“The patrol team, which was made up of six Zimbabwe Republic Police Support Unit officers and six members of the Zimbabwe National Army, was carrying out anti-smuggling operations when they intercepted the accused persons riding into Zimbabwe on motorbikes.
“The four were intercepted while riding unregistered motorbikes from Mozambique into Zimbabwe.
“The 17-year-old female was found with five bags of charcoal, each weighing 50kg, which she was smuggling across the border,” said Ass Insp Chinyoka.
He said all the motorcycles were confiscated after it was established they were not registered.
Among the impounded property was a black Lifan motorcycle (chassis number LF3PCB2C6PA006898) used by the juvenile and three others of similar make that belonged to the other accused persons.
“The suspects were taken to ZRP Mutare Rural Police Station, where a report of smuggling and entry by evasion was filed before the matter was handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Mutare for further management,” he said.
Ass Insp Chinyoka said investigations were underway, warning members of the public against engaging in smuggling activities.
“Smuggling is a serious crime that prejudices the state of revenue and fuels the circulation of unregistered and unsafe goods.
“We want to warn people that our security teams are vigilant, especially along the border. Anyone caught engaging in smuggling will face the full wrath of the law.
“This case should send a strong message to those in the habit of using illegal entry points. Our borders are not porous, and we are intensifying patrols to curb smuggling and illegal crossings.”
Ass Insp Chinyoka urged communities living close to the border to desist from helping smugglers or providing them with storage facilities.
“Smuggling is not only an economic crime but also a threat to national security, and we will leave no stone unturned in fighting it,” he said.
