Police recover smuggled vehicles on Plumtree road

Police in Matabeleland South Province have recovered two smuggled Honda Fit vehicles along Plumtree Road following a tip-off from members of the public.

The vehicles were intercepted while being driven from Botswana into Bulawayo.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Chiratidzo Dube confirmed the recovery, saying the operation was carried out by the Bulilimamangwe Anti-Smuggling Unit during a routine patrol on May 19 at around 6:30am.

"The team received a tip-off that two Honda Fit vehicles smuggled from Botswana were heading to Bulawayo," she said.

Police acted on the information and successfully recovered the vehicles, resulting in the arrest of one suspect, Future Ndabezinhle Mukwebu, while another suspect remains at large.

Authorities have since launched a manhunt for the second suspect and have appealed for information from the public to assist with the arrest.

In a related case, police also arrested Bhekimpilo Sithole and Tawanda Salimu Moyo on May 15 for allegedly smuggling a Toyota Allex into the country from Botswana.

Inspector Dube said vehicle smuggling remains a serious offence as it undermines the economy and public safety, and is often linked to other crimes such as fraud, money laundering and armed robbery.

She warned that illegally imported vehicles are frequently used in criminal activities and are difficult to trace through the Central Vehicle Registry.

Members of the public have been urged to avoid purchasing vehicles without proper Zimbabwe Revenue Authority clearance and CVR registration, with authorities warning that unusually cheap prices or incomplete documentation are indicators of illegal activity.

Police also encouraged citizens to report suspicious transactions to the nearest station as part of efforts to curb cross-border vehicle smuggling.