ZIMBABWE– In a decisive move to combat smuggling, the government has launched an extensive door-to-door Zimra operation aimed at confiscating illicit goods inundating the country, particularly during the festive season. This rigorous initiative is part of an effort to curb annual losses amounting to up to US$1 billion due to rampant smuggling activities along the borders.

The crackdown, targeting peak smuggling seasons when many Zimbabweans return home for holidays, was announced by Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs. During a press briefing, he revealed that a specialized task force has been deployed to all major border posts and key roads to thwart the entry of smuggled goods.

“This December, inter-governmental agencies will be stationed at our major border posts to ensure zero tolerance for smugglers. The task force will conduct door-to-door inspections of all goods in wholesale and retail shops,” stated Muguti.

The operation will scrutinize wholesalers, supermarkets, and tech shops, with specific focus on a variety of smuggled products including food items, clothing, drugs, beverages, fertilizers, cement, vehicles, electrical gadgets, and solar panels.

“Our goal is to protect the local industry from cheap, often counterfeit products that pose health risks to consumers. I want to issue a stern warning to Diasporans returning for the holidays,” warned Muguti. Those caught with smuggled items face immediate arrest and imprisonment without bail.

The task force, led by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, includes the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), Zimbabwe Republic Police, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), and the Consumer Protection Commission. Surveillance systems have been implemented across roadblocks and within the transport sector to detect and prevent corrupt practices among government officials.

Since January, authorities have arrested 15,181 individuals for smuggling. The crackdown also addresses businesses that use parallel market exchange rates and sell counterfeit, underweight, or unlabeled products. To enforce compliance, 24-hour roadblocks have been set up along highways leading into major cities, with multi-agency teams inspecting vehicles suspected of carrying smuggled goods.