The ManicaPost
Ray Bande-Senior Reporter
As the smuggling of second-hand clothes, fuel, drugs and other goods through Forbes Border Post and several illegal points along the border with Mozambique continues, rogue law enforcement agents have been accused of working in cahoots with smuggling syndicates.
The identified illegal entry points include Cecil Kop Nature Reserve, Mutare Boys’ High School grounds, the forest area around Marymount Teachers’ College and Adams Barracks, Lower Vumba, Rimai Farm and Burma Valley.
Though several arrests have been made of late, a visit by The Manica Post to some of the illegal entry points early this week revealed that smuggling was rife.
Branded company trucks were being used to ferry goods that would have been smuggled across the border with Mozambique. The smugglers are reportedly working with their Mozambican counterparts who transport the contraband to designated areas before they are loaded into vehicles waiting on the Zimbabwean side.
Some of the daring smugglers, especially in Burma Valley, have opened feeder roads which they use to illegally cross into Mozambique. Interestingly, one of the roads are right next to a security checkpoint boom gate.
Most of the contraband is smuggled under the cover of darkness, while a few daring smugglers cross the border in broad daylight with small quantities.
Pirate taxis are reportedly making brisk business transporting the contraband.
Mr Luckson Mhlanga of Bordervale, Mutare, said on several occasions he has witnessed couriers of second-hand clothes loading bales into trucks along Rekayi Tangwena Road.
“This is common here. Couriers of bales of second-hand clothes load their loot into trucks along Rekayi Tangwena Road and furniture shops’ branded company trucks (names withheld) always frequent this place. The transportation of the smuggled goods usually happens during the night, but at times there are some daring couriers who transport their loot in broad daylight,” he said.
Ms Mirriam Mlambo of the same suburb said the smuggling syndicates are well-knit.
“It appears as if the security agents are also working hand in glove with the smuggling syndicates as we at times see them (security personnel) in the company of the couriers. Smuggling is a vice that will be difficult to completely eradicate as it has become a source of livelihood for the smugglers, the couriers and security agents,” she said.
Contacted for comment, Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luxson Chananda said they were seized with the matter.
“We are aware that there is rampant smuggling of goods along the border, especially bales of second-hand clothes and drugs. Lately, we have intensified our patrols along the border, but we are also aware that there will always be rogue elements within the security sector who want to cash in on bribes from criminals.
“We are seized with the matter at a higher level and intervention mechanisms are already being worked out to clampdown on smuggling along the border,” said Insp Chananda. Last week, police said they were investigating the alleged involvement of law enforcement agents in a recent smuggling incident in which five trucks loaded with 1 400 bales of second-hand clothes were intercepted near Nyazura by a national crack team.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said authorities were eager to know how the trucks travelled all the way from Mozambique despite the presence of roadblocks and security check points along the way.
“The case is still under investigation and we cannot give you more details on what we are doing as that will compromise the whole process. We want to ascertain how the trucks travelled all the way from Mutare with the smuggled bales of second-hand clothes, passing through several checkpoints,” he said last week.
Although Asst Comm Nyathi could not be drawn into divulging more details on the investigations, sources close to the case revealed that stinking corruption was being unveiled.
