Two men fined $1,000 each for smuggling 458 sacks of groundnuts into Zimbabwe

Takudzwa Karowangoro

Two men have been convicted by the Mutare Magistrates’ Court for violating the Customs and Excise Act after they were arrested for smuggling 458 sacks of groundnuts into Zimbabwe in August.

A statement issued by the National Prosecuting Authority says Willard Obete Luis (37) of Manica, Mozambique, and Oscar Makawi (37) of Dangamvura, Mutare, were each fined US$1 000 or 12 months in jail.

The court heard that on August 23 2025, police officers on patrol along Beira Road intercepted a truck driven by Luis. Upon inspection, the truck was found loaded with groundnuts belonging to Makawi.

“The driver failed to produce any declaration forms for the consignment. The truck and goods were escorted to ZRP Mutare Central and later handed over to ZIMRA, which confirmed the consignment was smuggled,” said the NPA statement.

The potential prejudice was US$2 500. The recovered groundnuts were forfeited to ZIMRA.