By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has seized 4,330 kilogrammes of meat and meat products at an illegal crossing point in Beitbridge, exposing the continued challenge of smuggling along the country’s porous southern border.
The haul, intercepted with the assistance of border security stakeholders, comprised 3,480kg of sausages, 810kg of chicken cuts and 40kg of polony.
The seizure comes as authorities continue to battle the movement of goods through unofficial crossing points around Beitbridge, where smugglers seek to evade customs procedures and other regulatory controls.
According to ZIMRA, in an update posted on its official WhatsApp channel, the intercepted meat could not legally enter the country without the required permits and licences.
“Importing meat and meat products requires the necessary biosafety, veterinary and Control of Goods permits,” ZIMRA said.
ZIMRA said some products also require an import licence from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
The authority said the operation was not simply about stopping the illegal movement of goods, but also about protecting consumers from products that may bypass safety and regulatory checks.
“This interception is about more than stopping smuggling. It is about protecting our communities and ensuring that meat entering the country complies with the required safety and regulatory standards,” ZIMRA said.
Beitbridge is a major gateway between Zimbabwe and South Africa and handles significant volumes of people and cargo.
However, the presence of illegal crossing points continues to pose a challenge for border authorities seeking to prevent the movement of illicit goods.
ZIMRA urged members of the public to buy meat from licensed retailers and warned consumers against supporting the market for smuggled goods.