The government has launched a door-to-door operation to confiscate smuggled goods inundating the country, particularly during the festive season. Individuals found with smuggled items will face imprisonment without the option of bail.
This initiative responds to significant annual losses of up to $1 billion attributed to smuggling activities at the borders. The crackdown coincides with the busy season for smuggling, as many Zimbabweans return home for Christmas and New Year, often bringing goods from South Africa and neighboring countries.
During a press conference, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, the Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President, announced that a taskforce has been deployed to major border posts and key roads to curb the entry of smuggled goods. “This December, we will have inter-governmental agencies stationed at our major border posts to ensure a zero-tolerance approach to smuggling. The task force will perform door-to-door inspections of all goods in wholesale and retail shops,” he stated.
The operation will also target wholesalers, supermarkets, and tech shops, focusing on a range of smuggled products, including food items, clothing, drugs, beverages, fertilizers, cement, vehicles, electrical gadgets, and solar panels.
Eng Muguti emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting local industries from cheap, often counterfeit goods that pose health risks to consumers. He issued a stern warning to returnees from the diaspora, highlighting that rising prices and black market trading often occur during the holiday season. “Many fail to declare their groceries and attempt to smuggle illicit alcohol and other items. Be aware that there will be no fines at roadblocks; those caught will be arrested on the spot. You risk spending Christmas in jail if you engage in these activities,” he cautioned.
Last month, the government established a taskforce led by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to spearhead the crackdown on smuggling. This taskforce comprises various government agencies, including the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), Zimbabwe Republic Police, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), and the Consumer Protection Commission.
Eng Muguti also warned government officials against corrupt practices, stating that surveillance systems have been implemented at roadblocks and within the transport sector.
Since January, authorities have arrested 15,181 individuals for smuggling. The crackdown also targets businesses using parallel market exchange rates and selling counterfeit, underweight, or unlabeled products. To enforce compliance, 24-hour roadblocks have been set up along highways leading to major cities, with multi-agency teams inspecting vehicles suspected of carrying smuggled goods.
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