$100,000 tyre haulage truck arrest

Bongani Ndlovu
A MAN from Bulawayo's Mzilikazi suburb was on Wednesday arrested for allegedly smuggling tyres worth nearly $100,000 from Botswana. The consignment which was in a haulage truck was intercepted by alert police officers in the city following a tip off.

Kainos Gozhorayi, 37, is expected to appear in court soon.

National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said the haulage truck was being driven by one Godfrey Madhubure, and had a load of tyres worth $98,000. The vehicle has since been impounded by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra).

"Our police officers received a tip off that an articulated motor vehicle which had smuggled tyres from Botswana was parked along Fort Street and Connaught Avenue in Bulawayo. The vehicle was taken to Zimra offices for verification and it was established that there were 280 undeclared tyres valued at $350 each and at $98,000 in total," said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

"Police are still conducting investigations in connection with the matter to establish how the consignment made its way into the country without being declared."

Snr Asst Comm Charamba warned would-be smugglers that the law will catch up with them.

"We warn people to pay their duty whether it's vehicles or anything that they're bringing into the country," she said.

There is rampant smuggling of tyres, foodstuffs, beverages among other products into the country. This prejudices the State of potential revenue running into millions.

Corruption by officials at the country's border posts and porous borders has fuelled the crime.

Last month, Zimra boss Gershem Pasi and five senior executives were suspended in a case linked to the irregular importation of vehicles.