BEITBRIDGE, Feb 11 (NewsDay Live) - The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) on Tuesday raided several smuggling points along the Limpopo River, confiscated and destroyed boats used to illegally cross the crocodile-infested river.
The raids were drone-led and caught the smugglers by surprise as the tax collector tightens screws on smugglers who are believed to have cost the country millions of dollars in lost revenue.
"In a bold and decisive move against smuggling, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), in collaboration with key border security agencies, has confiscated and destroyed 21 smuggling boats and 20 paddles along the Limpopo River," the agency said in a statement.
"This operation, a testament to Zimbabwe’s strengthened border security measures, highlights the growing impact of drone surveillance and a whole-of-government approach to tackling illicit trade."
The sting operation saw Zimra’s elite drone operations team, customs officers, and other border security agents providing real-time aerial intelligence that led to the swift interception and destruction of smuggling infrastructure.
Zimra said drones changed the outlook of their operations and border security, providing unparalleled aerial surveillance and tracking smugglers in real time, even in remote areas previously difficult to monitor.
“This is a game-changer in our fight against smuggling. The use of drones has allowed us to detect smuggling activities with precision and speed, ensuring that illicit goods never make it into the market. Smuggling is not just about tax evasion—it’s an attack on Zimbabwe’s economy, local industries, and the safety of our communities. Through this collaborative approach, we are sending a strong message: Zimbabwe’s borders will not be a playground for criminals," ZIMRA commissioner-general Regina Chinamasa said.
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The latest intelligence-driven operation targeted five notorious smuggling corridors, informally known as Valley 1 & 2, Proof, Godfather, and Thembani.
At these illegal crossing points, the surveillance teams uncovered a fleet of inflatable boats strategically positioned on both the South African and Zimbabwean sides; vehicles on standby, ready to transport smuggled goods inland; donkey-drawn carts, motor vehicles, and boats, being used to ferry illicit goods across the border.
These smuggling operations threaten local businesses, flooding the market with untaxed goods, weakening Zimbabwean manufacturers, and depriving the government of much-needed revenue for essential services.
"This operation underscores the effectiveness of multi-agency cooperation in tackling illicit trade. Zimra, border security forces, law enforcement agencies, and local intelligence teams have intensified their efforts, working hand-in-hand to disrupt smuggling syndicates and uphold economic integrity," said the statement.
