Online Reporter
Fidelis Chavarike
Post Reporter
TWO male suspects were arrested in Chipinge for allegedly smuggling 16 cattle worth thousands of dollars into the country from Mozambique.
The incident occurred on August 17 around 4am.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the arrest of Phinias Rombe (40), from Matikwa Village in Chipinge and Simon Ndlovu (35), a Mozambican national, for smuggling 16 cattle into the country.
“A joint patrol team comprising members of the Zimbabwe National Army and Support Unit officers received a tip-off that the two suspects were driving a herd of cattle from Mozambique into Zimbabwe through an undesignated crossing point north of Mabee Base. The duo was intercepted with one cow, four bulls and 11 oxen in Marega village under Chief Garahwa,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
It is alleged that both Ndlovu and Rombe failed to produce any documentation authorising the movement of the cattle across the border.
“When questioned, the accused stated that the cattle belonged to Denis Sithole (36), from Chinyamukwakwa village. They claimed Sithole had hired them to drive the cattle from Mozambique after he had purchased them,” added Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
The officers promptly arrested the two suspects, and took them to Chisumbanje Police Station, on charges of contravening Section 182 of the Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02].
