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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Zimbabwean and South African security authorities have increased efforts to curb illegal activities, including smuggling and border jumping, through Beitbridge Border Post and numerous illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River.
Police and other security agencies have since the beginning of the year, been implementing an operation dubbed “No to cross border crimes” which is aimed at improving the country’s capacity to collect import duty.
South African police are also running another operation code-named “Thatha Zonke” (Take Everything) under which scores of illegal immigrants and smugglers have been nabbed, leading to the recovery of goods worth millions of dollars.
A security source said Zimbabwean authorities on Friday intercepted a commercial truck that was transporting pre-owned vehicles and 500kg of sodium cyanide.
Sodium cyanide is used commercially for fumigation, electroplating, extracting gold and silver from ores and chemical manufacturing.
“Two people have been arrested in connection with the smuggling of the cyanide and we are still pursuing the other accomplice,” said the official.
South Africa’s police spokesperson for Limpopo province, Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said they intercepted a 36-year-old Zimbabwean man on Saturday smuggling cigarettes worth R500 000.
“He was arrested during a stop and search operation and a total of 1 044 cartoons of illicit cigarettes were found hidden inside the truck which was also confiscated during the arrest,” said Col Ngoepe.
He said they also rounded up 1 984 people across the province for various offenses including possession of drugs, suspected stolen motor vehicles, rape, assault and robbery. Col Ngoepe said the suspects were expected to appear in court soon.
Azori Muchirahondo (36) and Steady Lore (37), who were arrested for smuggling sodium cyanide into Zimbabwe have since appeared before Beitbridge Resident Magistrate Mr Toyindepi Zhou charged with contravening a section of the Customs and Excise Act.
Online Reporter