Moffat Mungazi
Takudzwa Manzero
Post Correspondent
THE police force in Chipinge and their Mozambican counterparts in Mosurrize District have reaffirmed their commitment to joint efforts in combating crime along their shared borderline following a series of successful arrests by both forces.
Key stakeholders from both sides of the border recently attended a bilateral meeting at ZRP Chipinge District Headquarters, where the guest was Mosurrize District Commander, Superintendent Adolfo Paulo Dias.
Speaking at the meeting, Superintendent Adolfo Paulo Dias said: “I am happy that both police forces have made significant strides in tackling crime along the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border. The police in Mosurrize District is dedicated to continuously help in the arrest of criminal elements from Zimbabwe or South Africa that seek a safe haven in our locations to evade the wrath of the law.”
Some of the notable successes done in Mozambique include the recovery and repatriation of a tractor stolen from Chimanimani, and driven to Maridheya, Mozambique, in June 2024, and the return of a Nissan Caravan minibus stolen from Chiredzi.
The joint operation also led to the successful recovery of 56 cattle stolen from Chisumbanje area in three separate incidents.
Police in Mosurrize District also managed to arrest and repatriate a murder suspect, Emmanuel Maringidze, who was convicted of killing his employer in Chimanimani, and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
They also recovered a lorry stolen from Middle Sabi, and smuggled into Mozambique via the Chisuma area.
On the flip side, police in Chipinge have also been instrumental in assisting their Mozambican counterparts with several significant recoveries.
These include the return of a Lifan motorbike, digital scales, groceries, and clothes worth US$1 200 stolen from shops in Maridheya, and taken to Vhumani Village in Chimanimani. The suspected thief, a Mozambican national, fled before arrest.
Furthermore, 35 Lifan motorbikes, smuggled from Mozambique into Zimbabwe, were seized by ZRP.
Mozambican authorities are currently verifying whether these bikes were stolen within their country.
Additionally, a Yamaha Black motorbike, stolen from Mozambique, was recovered in Chipinge and is in police custody.
Police lamented activities by cross-border criminal syndicates and smuggling operations happening between the two countries as the challenging facets of organised crime.
Both sides reported the existence of cross-border criminal syndicates involved in the theft and smuggling of goods such as motorbikes, livestock, and lorries.
These criminal networks operate by stealing property from one country and transporting it across the border to the other.
Acting Officer Commanding Police in Chipinge District, Superintendent Godfrey Likalawe said: “One of the big syndicates specialises in the theft of motorcycles, with stolen bikes being smuggled into Mozambique and exchanged for Mozambican motorcycles. Another criminal group is involved in cattle rustling, stealing cattle from both Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and trafficking them for sale.
“Zimbabwean and Mozambican authorities also noted the rise of criminal syndicates involved in the theft of lorries, which are then smuggled across the border to be sold or exchanged for stolen vehicles from Mozambique. In addition to theft, smuggling operations remain a significant concern. Both countries are grappling with the illicit movement of fuel, second-hand clothes, agricultural produce, and motorbikes, all of which result in substantial revenue losses for both nations.”
Environmental crimes, such as the illegal cutting of indigenous trees along the border and illegal mining activities along rivers, were also high on the agenda.
These activities, not only harm the local ecosystem, but also have long-term negative effects on the climate for both countries.
Online Reporter