ZIMRA seizes 15 tonnes of suspected smuggled meat in Chiredzi

Customs officers inspecting cargo in a truck — ZIMRA enforcement operation at the Triangle corridor

CHIRENZI — The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) intercepted a truck carrying an estimated 15 tonnes of suspected smuggled meat and assorted processed foodstuffs near the Mutirikwi River corridor at Triangle, a route increasingly associated with illicit cross‑border trade.

During a routine enforcement operation, ZIMRA officers stopped a vehicle bearing Zimbabwean registration AGZ 3488 and discovered a large consignment lacking proper customs documentation. Officials reported the cargo comprised 197 packages of 80kg chicken cuts, seven 10kg packs of sausages and assorted polony products, with a declared market value of about ZWG 945,000. Preliminary checks indicated several items were labelled as originating from South Africa.

ZIMRA warned that the shipment had been transported without refrigeration, raising serious food‑safety concerns given the risk of rapid spoilage in high temperatures. Commissioner Batsirai Chadzingwa, who heads the Customs and Excise Division, stressed that enforcement and physical inspections are central to ZIMRA’s mandate to protect public health and guard against harmful foods and illicit substances.

“Enforcement operations and physical inspections are critical parts of ZIMRA’s mandate designed to safeguard Zimbabweans from harmful foods, substances and illicit drugs to protect public health,” Chadzingwa said. He added that investigations are ongoing and that the matter has not yet been referred for arrests.

Under Zimbabwean law, imported foodstuffs must be properly declared and accompanied by the required customs paperwork, and any applicable duties must be paid before goods enter the domestic market. ZIMRA reiterated that transporters and importers must use designated entry points and follow established procedures to ensure compliance and protect consumers.

“The consequences of non‑compliance are severe, and we will not hesitate to enforce the law. ZIMRA will continue to fulfil its mandate; the message is clear: smuggling won’t be tolerated,” Chadzingwa said.

Investigators will continue to trace the consignment’s origin, verify documentation, and determine whether criminal charges or administrative penalties are warranted. Authorities may also inspect the vehicle for forensic evidence and seek to identify any networks involved in the illicit movement of food products through the Triangle corridor.

ZIMRA smuggled meat seizure Chiredzi 2026