By McGeorge Mbare
The South African Border Management Authority Commissioner, Michael Masiapato has called for intensified efforts and collaboration between to stop smuggling of cigarettes from Zimbabwe to South Africa.
The illicit cigarette trade into South Africa from Zimbabwe is a multi million underhand industry which has become a massive problem.
According to the BMA Commissioner, his team has managed to intercept illegal cigarettes worth R690 millions since December 2024 destined for South Africa through the Limpopo river .
“Just a typical example in the last 44 days of December 10 to end of anuary, we have been able intercept cigarettes worth R690 millions, so that is demonstration of how serious this particular issues is but of course we have been doing a lot of work in the border environment together with SAPS, however dispute our effort this problem continues to persist that why we at changing strategy and be able to have a full conversation with our neighbouring counterpart, Zimbabwe. To be able to engage with them and assist to be able to counter this particular scage,” DR Masiapato stated.
Meanwhile, the illicit trade doesn’t happen on one way basis, people smuggle into South Africa but they is also a massive smuggling from South Africa into Zimbabwe.
Speaking to Ziyah News Network, a citizen who wished to remain anonymous highlighted that the situation goes both ways, noting that the people who work to protect against smuggling across the Limpopo River either in Zimbabwe or South African side, they are also caught in a difficult spot, as they too want to survive and provide for their families.
“Corruption maybe huge but sometimes integrity doesn’t pay bills, neither honest can bring food into the table. However it is also not right to allow people smugglers to pass.”
The Limpopo river has become the main part of the organised crime in grand scale between South Africa and Zimbabwe with authorities struggling to cope up with ever evolving methods.