admin
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) working with other border agencies on Tuesday intercepted and destroyed 21 boats which were being used to move contrabands between Zimbabwe and South Africa along the Limpopo River.
Most of the boats were identified with the aid of drone surveillance technology. In a statement Zimra’s Commissioner General Ms Regina Chinamasa said they confiscated and destroyed 21 smuggling boats and 20 paddles along the Limpopo River.
“This operation, a testament to Zimbabwe’s strengthened border security measures, highlights the growing impact of drone surveillance and a whole-of-government approach to tackling illicit trade,” said Ms Chinamasa.
“The sting operation saw Zimra’s elite Drone Operations Team, Customs Officers, and other border security stakeholders patrolling key smuggling hotspots, providing real-time aerial intelligence that led to the swift interception and destruction of smuggling infrastructure”.
She said the drones have revolutionised border security, providing unparalleled aerial surveillance and tracking smugglers in real time, even in remote areas that were previously difficult to monitor.
The commissioner general added that the drones were also equipped with night vision and high-resolution cameras.
She said the drones have been instrumental in identifying illegal crossing points and exposing deeply entrenched smuggling networks.
“This is a game-changer in our fight against smuggling. The use of drones has allowed us to detect smuggling activities with precision and speed, ensuring that illicit goods never make it into the market,” said the Commissioner General Chinamasa.
“Smuggling is not just about tax evasion—it’s an attack on Zimbabwe’s economy, local industries, and the safety of our communities. Through this collaborative approach, we are sending a strong message: Zimbabwe’s borders will not be a playground for criminals.”
Ms Chinamasa said the latest intelligence-driven operation targeted five notorious smuggling corridors, informally known as Valley 1 and 2, Proof, Godfather, and Thembani.
She said at these illegal crossing points, the surveillance teams uncovered a fleet of inflatable boats strategically positioned on both the South African and Zimbabwean sides; vehicles on standby, ready to transport smuggled goods inland; donkey-drawn carts, motor vehicles, and boats, being used to ferry illicit goods across the border.
She said the revenue collector will continue to intensify aerial patrols, deployment of more drones, and increase joint border operations with security agencies to completely dismantle smuggling syndicates.
Online Reporter