ZRP on mission to stop smuggling

Abel Zhakata

Senior Reporter

AS the police battle to contain the rampant smuggling of bales of second hand clothes from Mozambique into the country, a crack team of police detectives had to fire several shots to stop a fleeing kombi that was laden with 37 bales last week.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luxson Chananda, said five police intelligence operatives attached to an operation code named “No to smuggling” met the smugglers at around 8pm and tried to stop them.

“The team received information from an informer that there was a Nissan Caravan laden with smuggled goods from Mozambique. It was proceeding to Harare. Upon receiving the information, the team waylaid the vehicle near Wise Owl Motel at the foot of the Christmas Pass curves.

“At around 8pm, the team noticed a vehicle that was travelling towards Harare and it matched the description given by the informer. The vehicle Registration Number AFH4262 also matched the one supplied by the informer. 

“The police officers signalled the driver to stop and he complied. Upon identifying themselves, the driver sped off, resulting in the police officers giving chase,” said Inspector Chananda.

During the chase, the driver tried to block the police officers by encroaching on the inner lane.

One of the cops fired warning shots for the driver to stop, but he continued speeding.

Another shot was fired and it deflated the rear tyre, but the driver did not stop.

The next shot that was fired deflated the other rear tyre.

The driver then stopped about 2km from Nyanga Turn off along the Mutare-Nyanga Road. He jumped from the vehicle and disappeared into the bush.

The cops inspected the vehicle and discovered that it was carrying smuggled bales from Mozambique. 

They called for reinforcements and arrangements were made to tow the vehicle to Mutare Central Police Station.

The driver of the vehicle is still at large and investigations are underway. 

Inspector Chananda said there is an increase in the smuggling of second hand goods from Mozambique into Zimbabwe.

He said the smugglers are taking advantage of the porous border to enter into the country through illegal crossing points.