Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is strengthening intelligence-sharing with regional revenue authorities as it moves to plug border revenue leakages and disrupt smuggling networks operating across the country’s porous borders.
ZIMRA Commissioner-General Regina Chinamasa said the authority was working with revenue agencies in neighbouring countries to share information that could help detect illicit movements of goods and improve enforcement.
Speaking on the sidelines of Zedcon in Bulawayo last week, Commissioner Chinamasa said regional cooperation was critical given the scale of Zimbabwe’s borders and the challenges posed by informal crossing points.
“We are also collaborating with our partners, Botswana Unified Revenue Services, South Africa Revenue Service (SARS) as well as Zambia Revenue Authority, to ensure that we share information.”
The intelligence-sharing initiative forms part of a broader strategy by ZIMRA to safeguard customs revenue by combining information with surveillance and inspection technology.
Commissioner Chinamasa said the authority was operating at various border posts while the Government was establishing additional posts between major entry points to help prevent smuggling.
“So what are we doing to ensure that we mitigate revenue leakages? We are operating at various border posts. So the physical presence of ZIMRA at the various border posts, not just BeitBridge, Plumtree, but in between, Government has also taken initiative to ensure that we establish border posts in between so that we can also try and safeguard, prevent smuggling.”
She said the extensive Botswana and South African borders presented a particular challenge because of the absence of physical barriers.
“So what does it mean? It means people can cross anyhow through those borders.”
ZIMRA has consequently started deploying drones for area surveillance at BeitBridge and Plumtree, with plans to expand their use along the country’s borders.
The authority is also upgrading scanners to detect misdeclared consignments, a practice that can result in the loss of customs revenue.
“As you know, people would declare, for example, they might say they are exporting coal and then they are putting cigarettes.”
Commissioner Chinamasa said stronger intelligence would complement these technologies by giving authorities a better understanding of cross-border movements and enabling coordinated enforcement.
“We are also utilising canines for other dangerous goods that have been smuggled into the country.”
She said ZIMRA remained focused on technological and intelligence-led interventions to strengthen border controls and protect the country’s revenue base.
