Beitbridge police burn 24 pressure boats in crackdown on Limpopo River crime

Police in Beitbridge have destroyed 24 pressure boats used by smugglers to ferry goods and people across the Limpopo River between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube, officer commanding the Beitbridge police, said several individuals using the boats were arrested, while others abandoned their vessels and fled. He added that some wooden rafts found at illegal crossing points were also burnt on site.

"We are not relenting in our quest to fight crime at the Limpopo River. Today, we are destroying 24 pressure boats recovered at various crossing points along the river," Chief Supt Ncube said.

He praised community members for providing critical information that helped authorities dismantle smuggling networks. "Those we arrested are standing trial for various crimes, and we want to strongly warn others involved in similar activities that their days are numbered," he said.

Statistics from January to December last year indicate that police arrested 1,476 people for smuggling-related offences, 515 for drug trafficking, and 9,056 for crimes linked to irregular migration, touting at the border, and violations of the Protected Places and Areas Act.

Authorities say smuggling is costing the country millions in unpaid customs duties, undermining development projects and disadvantaging businesses that comply with legal requirements. Commonly smuggled imports include building materials, vehicles, groceries, fuel, electronics, and illicit medicines, while exports largely consist of minerals, cigarettes, and stolen livestock.