Online Reporter
Lynnet Khaka
THE Mutare Magistrates’ Court has fined two men for smuggling a large consignment of groundnuts into Zimbabwe from Mozambique.
Willard Obete Luis (37), a Mozambican national from Manica Province, and Oscar Makawi (37) of Dangamvura, Mutare, were each ordered to pay a fine of US$1 000.
Failure to pay will result in a 12-month jail term.
The case arose from an interception on August 23, 2025, when police officers on patrol along the busy Beira Road stopped a truck being driven by Luis.
On inspection, the vehicle was found loaded with 458 sacks of groundnuts, belonging to Makawi.
Investigations revealed that Luis failed to produce the required customs declaration forms, a key legal requirement when importing commodities.
The truck and its cargo were seized and taken to ZRP Mutare Central before being handed over to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).
ZIMRA later confirmed that the consignment had been smuggled into Zimbabwe in an attempt to evade customs duties.
The potential revenue loss to the state was estimated at US$2 500.
The court ordered that the groundnuts be forfeited to the State.
In a statement following the verdict, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said: “Smuggling robs the nation of revenue needed for development.
“Communities are urged to support efforts to curb smuggling by reporting such activities.”
