POLICE in Matabeleland South have recovered two smuggled vehicles along Plumtree Road following a tip-off from the public.
The two Honda Fit vehicles were intercepted while being driven from Botswana to Bulawayo.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Chiratidzo Dube confirmed the recovery.
“On May 19 at around 6:30am, the Bulilimamangwe Anti-Smuggling team was on motorised patrol along the Plumtree-Sikhathini Road,” she said.
“The team received a tip-off that two Honda Fit vehicles smuggled from Botswana were heading to Bulawayo.”
Dube said the team acted on the information and recovered the vehicles, leading to the arrest of one suspect, Future Ndabezinhle Mukwebu, while another remained at large.
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“We appeal for information that may lead to the arrest of the other suspect,” she said.
Dube also said police arrested Bhekimpilo Sithole and Tawanda Salimu Moyo on May 15 for smuggling a Toyota Allex into the country from Botswana.
She said vehicle smuggling was a serious offence as it undermined the economy and public safety and fuelled other offences such as fraud, money laundering and armed robbery.
Dube added that illegally imported vehicles were often used in other crimes and were difficult to trace through the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR).
Dube urged the public not to purchase vehicles without Zimbabwe Revenue Authority clearance and CVR registration, warning that unusually cheap deals or incomplete paperwork are signs of illegal activity.
She encouraged the public to report suspicious activity at the nearest police station and stressed the importance of co-operation in combating smuggling and other crimes across the province.