adminfacilitating the smuggling of goods worth hundreds of dollars into the country.
The duo was arrested last Friday at the border post and has since appeared in court.
Itai John David Mautsa (25), a Zimra officer and Vusumuzi Khumalo (27), a customs clearing agent residing at House Number 2944 in Dulibadzimu suburb were not asked to plead when they appeared before Beitbridge magistrate, Mr Carrington Karidzagundi. They were both remanded to September 13 on US$100 bail each. Prosecutor Mr Reason Mutimba said on August 26, police were tipped that a cross border bus belonging to Elite Company had arrived at Beitbridge Border Post carrying a consignment of goods.
The bus, which was coming from South Africa, was taken to a Zimra checkpoint for routine search. Upon arrival at the search bay, Khumalo, who was supposed to complete the customs formalities on behalf of Elite Bus Company, approached Mautsa so that he could help facilitate smuggling of the goods and evade paying customs duty. For their efforts, the two accused persons were offered R1 900 after, which the bus proceeded to the exit point.
Police detectives intercepted the bus at the gate where a thorough search was conducted leading to the discovery of the goods hidden in one the compartments.
They requested for the customs declaration documents for the contraband from the bus crew. They failed to produce these and revealed that they had paid a bribe. Mautsa and Khumalo were subsequently arrested and the goods were forfeited to the State.
Online Reporter