Minister Raj Modi's liquor outlet closed amid smuggling clampdown

The Zimbabwean government has shut down a liquor outlet owned by Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Raj Modi, in Bulawayo as part of a nationwide operation targeting smuggled goods. The closure, which occurred on Saturday evening, was reportedly carried out by an interministerial task force that includes security agencies and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).

Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that officials arrived while customers were shopping and requested documentation for the goods in the store, which was not immediately available. "We were in the shop around 6 pm when officials arrived. They asked for paperwork, but it was unavailable, so they ordered the shop to close," said one source.

The liquor hub, located along Fife Street between 4th and 5th Avenues, remained closed as of Monday morning. Modi confirmed the closure, describing it as part of routine verification procedures. "Yes, it's true. There is nothing wrong with it. They said they want to check and verify everything, and that was the whole point," he told reporters.

The closure aligns with a broader government initiative to combat smuggling, which officials say is undermining the formal economy. Speaking during a post-budget breakfast meeting in Bulawayo on Monday, Minister of Finance Mthuli Ncube highlighted the detrimental effects of smuggled goods on local industries.

"Smuggled goods are harming the formal sector, squeezing markets for retailers and manufacturers. This is a real problem, and that's why we are taking aggressive measures to address it," Ncube said. He emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting local manufacturers and formal businesses, listing goods such as beverages, cement, clothing, dairy products, and motor parts as items frequently smuggled into the country.

The government has intensified enforcement efforts in recent years, including implementing post-clearance audits and introducing surveillance technologies like drones at key border points, including Beitbridge. Ncube noted that the crackdown would continue through the festive season, with no leniency expected for traders engaged in smuggling.

"Our teams are out there, and we've instructed them to be aggressive to protect formal businesses. Smuggling is killing jobs and the formal economy," Ncube said. He warned traders against viewing smuggling as a legitimate business practice, calling for adherence to the law.

The crackdown reflects the government’s broader effort to curb illicit trade, ensure economic resilience, and foster the growth of local businesses.