Nyambeni Mandiwana
The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) made a major breakthrough when they confiscated over R4 million-worth of illicit goods being smuggled either into South African or onto the Zimbabwean side.
The stolen goods include illegal cigarettes, alcohol, vehicles, livestock and explosives.
SANDF’s Captain Moses Semono said soldiers spotted a boat crossing the Limpopo River from Zimbabwe into South Africa on Saturday when they were doing their routine border patrol near the Mapungubwe Game Reserve.
Realising that he was on the radar of the South African soldiers, the captain of the boat jumped into the crocodile-infested Limpopo River and swam back to Zimbabwe.
“We confiscated the boat and found nine sheep and 57 goats, valued at more than R75,000,” Semono said.
The SANDF also arrested a suspect at Beitbridge who was found transporting brandy to the value of more than R20,000 as well as 90 explosives valued at R150,000.
After being arrested, the suspect said that the explosives belonged to two truck drivers who were parked nearby.
“As we continue tightening the border, we have confiscated a Toyota Hilux Legend 50 valued at R750,000 and a grey Ford Ranger worth R770,000 which was abandoned by the criminals who escaped into Zimbabwe when they spotted soldiers,” Semono said.
Limpopo Police Commissioner General Thembi Hadebe has expressed concern about the escalation of the smuggling of vehicles and illegal cigarettes from either the South Africa or Zimbabwe side.
“Vehicles are stolen as far as Cape Town, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal and smuggled through the Limpopo river into Zimbabwe,” she said.
“The market has been identified in Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe and Intelligence information indicates that on a daily basis between three and six vehicles cross the Limpopo river.
“Commercial explosives used in the dwindling mining sector in Zimbabwe find their way into South Africa and are normally used in violent crime such as cash-in-transit, robberies and ATM blasts.”
Zimbabwe’s national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said security forces are also out in full force along the borderline and dealing strictly with those breaking the law.
