adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has intensified the enforcement of customs laws at Beitbridge Border Post to curb smuggling and leakages between South Africa and Zimbabwe and to maximise revenue collection.
Since the tax authority adopted zero tolerance a few weeks ago, contraband seized for violation of customs laws has increased from one to seven per day.
Zimra head of communications Mr Taungana Ndoro said on Monday the situation at the border where some traders tried to cause commotion on Sunday morning had normalised.
There was a potentially volatile situation where traders and cross-border drivers commonly known as Omalayitsha charged at customs officers refusing to comply with border formalities and had to be dispersed by soldiers who fired warning shots in the air.
“The correct position is that traders that were not willing to have their vehicles searched by ZIMRA wanted to demonstrate resulting in some forcing their way out without following customs procedures and formalities,” said Mr Ndoro.
“The State security forces who have been aiding and assisting us in maintaining law, order and security at the various ports of entry and exit fired warning shots to deter unruly elements from unlawful conduct.
“Law and order is prevailing at the border post as seizure of contraband over the last few day has risen from an average of 1 per day to 7 per day due to Zimra’s vigilant enforcement of customs clearance procedures.
“Where there are any taxes or duties due, which remain unpaid, Zimra is empowered in terms of the law to utilise a number of recovery measures, including seizures to enforce compliance amongst truant clients”.
He said high tax compliance was necessary for efficiency and equity, and for the development of social capital.
Zimra’s move to plug smuggling loopholes at Beitbridge border post follows a recent strong warning by President Mnangagwa that Government will not tolerate any form of corruption and chicanery at country’s and Sadc’s busiest inland port of entry.
He issued the strong warning while officiating at a ground breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of civil works to modernise the border into a modern commercial hub.
Online Reporter