POLICE in Matabeleland South province have arrested two men and recovered three smuggled vehicles intercepted near the Botswana border in a late-night operation.
The suspects, Martin Muzamba (45) of Emakhandeni, Bulawayo, and Costa Imbayarwo (25) of Senga, Gweru, were nabbed on August 1 while attempting to smuggle the vehicles into Zimbabwe via an unauthorised route.
The third suspect is still at large.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Chiratidzo Dube confirmed that an anti-smuggling team intercepted the vehicles during a patrol along a feeder road linking Plumtree-Dombodema and Plumtree-Thekwane roads.
“At around 8pm, officers on motorised patrol intercepted three Honda Fit vehicles suspected to have been smuggled from Botswana,” Dube said.
Muzamba was caught driving a blue Honda Fit with Botswana registration — B811 BJL.
Inside the vehicle, police found Zimbabwean plates (ADT 3356), a third number plate, two bales and a welding machine.
Imbayarwo was driving a sky-blue Honda Fit displaying Zimbabwean plates (ACW 8266), but with a Botswana third plate on the windshield.
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The suspect who fled was driving a sky-blue Honda Fit bearing Botswana registration — B416 BEZ.
The two suspects are detained at Plumtree Police Station, while the recovered vehicles await transfer to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority premises at Plumtree Border Post for further processing.
Dube urged the public to report smuggling activities, adding that police would intensify border patrols and stop-and-search operations.
“We appeal to communities to work with law enforcement agents to curb cross-border crime,” Dube said.
