Zimbabwe police national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi has said police impounded buses, commuter omnibuses and a Toyota Hiace for smuggling people and goods from South Africa. Nyathi said the passengers had no passports. Pindula News presents Nyathi’s statement.
ZRP RESPONSE TO THE ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION AND IMPOUNDING OF BUSES IN BEITBRIDGE
With reference to the recent social media post which went viral on the 3rd of November 2021, on alleged bus crew and passengers who protested alleged corrupt order by members of the Security Services at Chicago area along Harare-Beitbridge Rd. The Police set the record straight and reports that buses were indeed involved in smuggling acts and were impounded after a tip-off had been received from concerned citizens.
The listed buses and vehicles were then handed over to ZIMRA to ensure the appropriate customs and excise laws were applied:
• Munhenzva bus registration number F203BF GPV with Trailer ABB 1317, had suspected smuggled groceries and two (2) passengers without passports who were charged for exit by evasion.
• Lexliner bus registration number HM 04GC GP, had smuggled goods and thirteen (13) passengers without passports.
• Blue Liner bus with registration HM 70DD GP, had suspected smuggled goods and three (3) passengers without passports.
• Sable Class bus with personalized number plates TRUE GOD, had two (2) passengers without passports and smuggled goods.
• Charazim Travel bus registration number ABQ 8745, had suspected smuggled goods.
• Regional Boundary bus with registration number HN 97FL GP, had suspected smuggled goods and five (5) passengers without passports.
• Nissan Caravan registration number AEP 4454 with suspected smuggled goods was picked by a drone and intercepted by Mounted Units.
• Toyota Hiace Registration number AFK 9917, was intercepted at Area 40 with smuggled goods.
• Nissan Caravan AFD 8084, with smuggled goods was intercepted at Pande Minel.
• Nissan Caravan AFD 7102, with smuggled goods was intercepted at Pande Mine 2.
We warn bus operators and crew against smuggling and also raising unsubstantiated allegations in order to get sympathy from the public. Bus Operators are now posing a security risk with the border jumpers whom they are carrying into the country and with no COVID-19 protocols being followed at all. This militates against the Government’s quest to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The Police will ensure that the law takes its course without fear or favour.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other Security Services will ensure that action is taken on any security services member involved in corruption.