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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) recently intercepted two haulage trucks with a consignment of redwood that had been smuggled from Zambia en-route to South Africa.

It is reported that the consignment, worth thousands of United States dollars, was intercepted at Beitbridge Border Post after having found its way through Chirundu Border Post.

Zimra head of communications Mr Canisio Mudzimu and Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele could not be reached for comment.

But border authorities at Beitbridge said the trucks were intercepted on December 24.

“We received a tip-off from our counterparts in Zambia, hence we acted when the trucks arrived at Beitbridge,” said an official.

“As you are aware, redwood is a specified product, which needs Government approval for its exportation. The owners of the contraband, in this case, violated the laws after choosing to transport the product without legal documentation.”

The official said further investigations into the matter were underway, adding that the two vehicles and the loot had been seized by the customs authority.

Of late, there has been an increase in incidents of transit fraud between Zimbabwe and Zambia and other countries north of the Zambezi River.

The criminal activity has resulted in Government introducing the use of electronic seals for all cargo transiting through Zimbabwe.

A total of 300 transit trucks pass through Beitbridge Border Post daily, while 600 are destined for the local market.

Transit fraud results in situations where importers declare that goods are in transit (removal in transit–RIT) to neighbouring countries, yet the cargo will be offloaded in Zimbabwe.

As a result of such activities, the country is losing a lot of potential revenue to the criminals.

Under the customs laws, specified goods attract excise duty during importation into the country.