The South African Police Service (SAPS) seized goods worth R500,000 bound for Zimbabwe on Saturday after they were abandoned on the banks of the Limpopo River.
In a media statement released late Sunday afternoon, SAPS confirmed that upon noticing police presence, the smugglers abandoned their inflatable boats and fled.
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The abandoned goods included alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, baked goods, flour, and other consumer items, along with a chest freezer. The statement reads:
<blockquote>
The South African Police Service (SAPS) Operation Vala Umgodi National Intervention (Roving) Team has successfully thwarted a major smuggling operation along the Limpopo River, in the Musina policing area leading to the confiscation of goods valued at approximately R500,000.
On the morning of 11 January 2025, at around 11:20 AM, the team was conducting a routine patrol near Tshiurundu village when they received a tip-off about approximately eight (08) small boats loading goods.
Upon noticing the police presence, the suspects quickly got into the boats and fled back into Zimbabwe, abandoning most of the goods behind.
The confiscated items, which were likely being smuggled across the border, include alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, baked goods, flour, and other consumer goods, along with a chest fridge.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commended the team for their swift and decisive action, noting that the success of the operation highlights the SAPS’s ongoing commitment to combating cross-border crimes and illegal trade activities.
All seized items have been registered at the Musina SAPS for further investigation and processing.
</blockquote>
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Zimbabwe Smugglers ran away from the South African Police, leaving behind illegal stuff worth R500,000 by the river.
Police caught the goods near the Limpopo River as smugglers fled on inflatable boats.
The stuff included drinks, food, and a freezer, most likely smuggled from Zimbabwe.
The police praised for acting fast, stopping illegal trading between the countries.
All the items are now being checked by the police for more investigation.
The operation shows the police are working hard to stop illegal trade.

Zimbabwean Smugglers Flee South African Police Leaving Behind Contraband Worth R500,000 Along Limpopo River

Police have confirmed the arrest of three suspects involved in smuggling second-hand clothes and the death of a fourth man following a shootout in Mutare on Wednesday morning.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 17, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi announced the arrests of Phillimon Matiyashe (32), Tawanda Chafanza (33), and Owen Wenjere (29), as well as the death of Admire Tawanda Sibanda (40) during a shootout with police officers on October 16, 2024, at approximately 5:30 AM. Said Commissioner Nyathi:
<blockquote>
A Police crack team on an anti-smuggling operation acted on received information and intercepted a MAN rigid truck, registration number AFG 7429 along Vumba Road, after Prince of Wales turn off, Mutare.
The truck was loaded with smuggled second-hand clothes and was being escorted by two vehicles, an unregistered silver Toyota Runx and a silver Toyota Mark X, registration number, AFY 1037 driven by the Admire Tawanda Sibanda.
The team flagged down the truck, but the driver sped off.
Another Toyota Runux vehicle, registration number AFH 8368 blocked the way and subsequently, Admire Tawanda Sibanda pulled out a pistol and fired towards the Police resulting in a shootout.
Admire Tawanda Sibanda was shot on the neck and succumbed to the injuries on the way to the hospital.
The Police Mahindra vehicle was shot resulting in two bullet holes on the front left fender.
Phillimon Matiyashe, Tawanda Chafanza and Owen Wenjere were later arrested by the Police after a speed chase.
</blockquote>
Following the chase and subsequent arrests, police recovered 104 bales of second-hand shoes and 138 bales of second-hand clothes from the truck. Added Commissioner Nyathi:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police applauds the public for providing valuable information and warns smuggling syndicates against engaging in violent confrontations with police officers. Such actions will be met with appropriate response for the law to take its course.
</blockquote>
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Three men were caught smuggling second-hand clothes, and one man was killed in a shootout with the police. The police stopped a truck filled with smuggled clothes, and the driver tried to escape. Another man in a car blocked the way and shot at the police. He was shot and died. The police arrested the other three men after a chase and found lots of smuggled shoes and clothes. The police warn other smugglers not to fight back or they will face consequences.

Three Smugglers Arrested, One Killed In Shootout - ZRP

Zimbabwean and South African security forces have destroyed illegal bridges across the Limpopo River, which serves as the natural border between the two countries and also seized large quantities of smuggled goods in the past three weeks.
On the Zimbabwean side, immigration officials are dealing with child trafficking cases, with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) cracking down on import duty evasion and the smuggling of prohibited goods.
The Assistant Regional Immigration Officer at Beitbridge Canisia Magaya told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zim-sa-intensify-border-patrols/">State media</a> that between March 26 and April 5, they intercepted 59 illegal immigrants at Beitbridge Border Post. Some of the border jumpers were en route to South Africa while others had crossed into Zimbabwe. Said Magaya:
<blockquote>
We are not relenting in our efforts to minimise irregular migration through the border. Of the 59 intercepted between March 26 and April 5, 28 were boys and there were 31 girls.
In addition, seven cross-border bus operators were fined for facilitating illegal migration. During the same period, we also intercepted 10 undocumented Malawians and three Congolese nationals who have been taken to court for prosecution.
</blockquote>
She said the movement of children from both countries was common during public and school holidays. Added Magaya:
<blockquote>
Those with kids should have requisite documents, for instance, those travelling with guardians should in addition to a valid passport, have a copy of the child’s birth certificate.
</blockquote>
For one parent travelling with the child, an affidavit signed by the non-travelling parent is required, together with copies of the ID/passport of the parent.
Limpopo Provincial Police spokesperson Colonel Malasela Ledwaba said they were conducting a high-density operation dubbed “Vala Umgodi” with the help of other security agents.
The Operation is targetting smugglers moving prohibited and counterfeit goods into or out of South Africa.
Col Ledwaba said the smugglers in some instances were using donkey-pulled carts or wood rafts and illegal bridges made from logs to move contraband.
He revealed that between Saturday and Sunday, they arrested 25 people for smuggling and seized goods worth thousands of rands along the Limpopo River.
Col Ledwaba said they have arrested a total number of 23 foreign nationals for contravention of immigration laws.
South African police also discovered abandoned mbanje worth thousands of rands weighing about 9,5kg while they were patrolling the borderline.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zim, SA Authorities Destroy Illegal Limpopo Bridges

A soldier based in Beitbridge narrowly cheated death after he was shot eight times by vehicle smugglers along the Limpopo River last week.
The soldier was part of a security team deployed to curb cross-border crime in the border town.
The smugglers opened fire after they were cornered at an undesignated crossing point along the Limpopo River.
ZRP Officer Commanding Beitbridge District Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo confirmed the incident but referred further questions to the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). He said:
<blockquote>
He was on deployment and no one else was injured. As the norm, you can get detailed facts from the army through their national spokesperson.
</blockquote>
ZNA spokesperson Alphios Makotore said he would issue a statement next week.
<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200002016/cheeky-vehicle-smugglers-shoot-zim-soldier">NewsDay</a> reported sources at Beitbridge District Hospital as saying the soldier sustained several bullet wounds and was immediately transferred to Gwanda en route to Bulawayo.

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