Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
Two foreign nationals have been arrested in Harare on allegations of illegally manufacturing alcoholic beverages and wine products with alcohol content exceeding levels permitted under Zimbabwean law.
The suspects were allegedly operating from a factory in Msasa, where they are accused of producing and packaging the illicit products.
Police impounded alcoholic beverages worth over US$120 000 and the suspects are facing nine counts of violating the law.
Investigations revealed that the suspects were manufacturing a wine product called Mankouxing wine (100ml and 500ml), with an alcohol content of 53 percent which is way above the 40 percent regulated by the law.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of two foreign nationals in Msasa Industrial Area in Harare who were involved in the manufacture of illicit alcohol beverages under the guise of selling wines, spirits and other products, thereby violating various countries’ laws,” he said.
He said they have widened investigations together with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to ascertain how these suspects were operating in the country.
“I want to assure Zimbabweans that the law will take its course without fear or favour,” he said.
“And also to remind foreign nationals that if they are given certain permits, they are given certain licences to be in the country, they must stick to those permits and not abuse them, where at the end of the day, they end up perpetuating criminal activities.
“The same applies to Zimbabweans, if you are working with foreigners, you must assist these foreign nations to operate within the country’s laws, and where locals collude with foreign nationals, they will equally be responsible for those criminal activities just like the foreign national.”
