News / Regional
Soldier, cop nabbed for attempting to smuggle shoes
16 Mar 2014 at 14:27hrs | Views
A POLICE officer and soldier stationed in Plumtree were arrested at Mphoengs Border Post while attempting to smuggle shoes from Botswana.
Francis Mutsoka (34), a policeman and Innocent Malama (32), who is a soldier stationed in Mphoengs, are reported to have tried to smuggle 1 314 pairs of shoes valued at P30 240.
A Zimra official stationed in Plumtree said the pair was spotted by a security guard while trying to enter the country through an exit gate at Mphoengs Border Post.
"Mutsoka and Malama were seen crossing into Botswana on 24 February travelling in a Toyota Hiace truck. They returned on the same day around 6pm but instead of proceeding to the entrance gate, they drove through the exit gate which is used by drivers leaving the country.
"A security guard spotted them and alerted his colleagues who were manning that gate to stop them but the pair had already sped off before they could close the boom gate," said the official.
"The security officers pursued the vehicle and they found it abandoned in the middle of a road as the pair had fled the scene. The car was searched and security officers recovered 31 bales of footwear. A registration book in the name of Mukwa Plant Hire and Construction was also recovered.
"A report was made at Mphoengs Police Station and investigations were carried out which led to the arrest of the two accused persons."
A comment could not be obtained from the Matabeleland South provincial police as they could not confirm or deny the incident.
The pair, which is reported to be in police custody, is set to appear in court for smuggling.
Francis Mutsoka (34), a policeman and Innocent Malama (32), who is a soldier stationed in Mphoengs, are reported to have tried to smuggle 1 314 pairs of shoes valued at P30 240.
A Zimra official stationed in Plumtree said the pair was spotted by a security guard while trying to enter the country through an exit gate at Mphoengs Border Post.
"Mutsoka and Malama were seen crossing into Botswana on 24 February travelling in a Toyota Hiace truck. They returned on the same day around 6pm but instead of proceeding to the entrance gate, they drove through the exit gate which is used by drivers leaving the country.
"A security guard spotted them and alerted his colleagues who were manning that gate to stop them but the pair had already sped off before they could close the boom gate," said the official.
"The security officers pursued the vehicle and they found it abandoned in the middle of a road as the pair had fled the scene. The car was searched and security officers recovered 31 bales of footwear. A registration book in the name of Mukwa Plant Hire and Construction was also recovered.
"A report was made at Mphoengs Police Station and investigations were carried out which led to the arrest of the two accused persons."
A comment could not be obtained from the Matabeleland South provincial police as they could not confirm or deny the incident.
The pair, which is reported to be in police custody, is set to appear in court for smuggling.
Source - Sunday News
