Police Intensify Crackdown On Smuggling Operations Targeting Bus Crews & Passengers

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has escalated its efforts to combat smuggling activities across the nation, particularly focusing on bus crews and passengers involved in the illicit transportation of drugs, including marijuana (mbanje).

This intensified crackdown follows alarming reports indicating that bus operators are colluding with passengers to smuggle illegal substances into Zimbabwe.

The police operation, dubbed “No to Border Crimes,” has resulted in increased stop-and-search activities at roadblocks, particularly along major highways. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that this initiative aims to restore order and prevent the influx of drugs into the country. “We are determined to ensure that there is sanity on our roads and that illegal substances do not enter our communities,” he stated.

Recent operations have already yielded significant arrests and seizures. On September 27, 2024, police officers deployed at the Beitbridge border post arrested 26-year-old Melusi Ngwenya at the Dulibadzimu Bus terminus. Ngwenya was found in possession of 16 kilograms of mbanje, cleverly concealed under packets of chicken cuts within a cardboard box. This incident highlighted the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by smugglers to evade detection.

Two days later, on September 29, police intercepted a Nissan Note vehicle at a security checkpoint along the Harare-Masvingo Road. The driver, 37-year-old Tinashe Muronzi, and his passenger, 33-year-old Anacleter Sibanda, were arrested for possessing six plastic bags filled with mbanje. This successful interception is part of the ZRP’s ongoing commitment to curbing drug smuggling.

Last week, a significant operation in Masvingo led to the arrest of four individuals linked to the smuggling of 62 kilograms of mbanje aboard a Beitbridge-bound bus. Police reported that two crew members, along with two passengers, were apprehended after a thorough search of the bus uncovered six bags containing 28 rolled packets of marijuana hidden within the bus’s chassis. The bus was subsequently escorted to Masvingo Central Police Station for further investigation.

Upon further inspection at the police station, officers discovered additional contraband, including a black satchel belonging to a female passenger, Paulina Mudakuvaka (36) from Ruwa, Harare, which contained multiple packets of mbanje. Another female passenger, 68-year-old Alice Mutanda from Glen View, Harare, was found in possession of four rolls of dagga hidden in a black plastic bag. The bus conductor, 25-year-old Allen Mberikunashe from Victoria Ranch suburb in Masvingo, was also arrested in connection with the significant drug haul.

These recent operations underscore the ZRP’s determination to eradicate drug smuggling and its associated criminal activities. Commissioner Nyathi emphasized the importance of community cooperation in the fight against these crimes. “We urge members of the public to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement. Together, we can create a safer environment for all,” he said.

The “No to Border Crimes” operation will continue until authorities can ensure the safety and security of the nation’s highways. The police have expressed gratitude for the public’s assistance in providing vital information that has led to these successful operations.