The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata Senior Reporter
TONNES of smuggled contraband has been impounded at the Forbes Border Post in Mutare as the police beef up security at the border to flush out closely knit syndicates of corrupt Zimra, immigration and security details who are facilitating unbridled smuggling at the point of entry.
In an interview on Wednesday, Officer Commanding Manicaland Police Commissioner Wiklef Makamache said the police had intensified the fight against corruption at the border.
“As I talk to you right now our officers have impounded a truck laden with smuggled contraband. I am not at liberty to give you the finer details now because investigations are in progress. We really want to get to the root of these illegal activities and bring to book all those involved,” he said.
“All this smuggling must stop. We are determined to fight to the end and ensure that all imports pay duty as per the law. Every dollar that is due to the national coffers must be paid and it is our duty to see to it that importers pay the right dues without short-changing the country.”
This follows last week’s events in which several people, including two Zimra officials, were hauled before the courts on charges related to smuggling after a Trip Trans bus was given free passage at the border with more than 700 cases of smuggled soft drinks.
The bus was only intercepted some metres away from point of entry by the police. The incident exposed the existence of well-organised syndicates at the border that are facilitating smuggling, prejudicing the country millions of dollars in lost revenues. The crimes are committed in broad day light and they go unnoticed because money is exchanged among members of the syndicates who will be manning the border at respective times.
A visit to the border post by The Manica Post on Tuesday afternoon showed an abrupt change in character as the security details who were manning the entrance were leaving no stone unturned to ensure that all imports into the country pay duty.
Two Trans Trip buses that were at the gate were thoroughly searched and every passenger was made to produce declarations for the items they were bringing into the country from Mozambique.
A security officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said massive changes were made at the border following the Trip Trans bus smuggling case that made the headlines in the Press.
“New personnel have been seconded to the border and apparently the syndicates are broken. No one trusts anyone here and as you can see, you just have to stick to your duties because you don’t know who is watching who,” he said.
Meanwhile, operations have normalised at the border post as the road to the port of Beira is now open.
Haulage trucks were failing to reach the port after several bridges were destroyed in Mozambique due to the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai.
Much to the relief of exporters, freight companies and clearing agents who had closed shop, authorities in the neighbouring country communicated this week that temporary roads had been constructed to facilitate trade.
In an email dated March 24, Michael Jensen from JJ Africa — one of the biggest players in transporting cargo from the port of Beira to the inland — advised his colleagues that the road was now accessible.
“The road is open again. The first cars/trucks passed (at) 2.30pm. Please inform your operations departments to contact the drivers so they leave from Chimoio/Manica/Forbes to Beira tomorrow morning. We are ready in Beira to receive all the trucks. It is now back to business as usual. We are separately communicating with all importers so we can start loading again,” reads the email.
Bulk fuel tankers, small vehicles and other haulage trucks are now travelling to and from Beira.
Some shipping and forwarding companies that had closed shop and sent some employees on leave had to recall staff for resumption of duty.
