Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
The Government is scaling up efforts to curb smuggling along the border with Mozambique with efforts being made to expedite the upgrading of Forbes Border Post.
Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution advocate Misheck Mugadza and members of the provincial Joint Operations Command toured border lying areas near Mutare where it emerged efforts to curb smuggling are being upscaled.
“We are having this tour to see the situation regarding smuggling activities and find ways of curbing the illegal activities. Here where we are, we have received reports that there are a lot of illegal activities that may be taking place. We have gone around and I am happy to say our security forces are on the ground. We have seen that a lot of arrests have been taking place of late to curb smuggling. Smuggling is something that our president Dr ED Mnangagwa is not happy with and will never accept. So as his lieutenants, we are going to be on the ground all the time to make sure these activities are put to a stop. We can assure the nation that if there are any criminal activities or elements facilitating illegal activities, they will be brought to book as we take our country to Vision 2030,” said advocate Mugadza.
Upgrading of Forbes Border Post is being expedited, along with the construction of other ports of entry in Honde Valley and Chimanimani to facilitate trade.
“We are looking forward to having a border post in Honde Valley to facilitate trade. I am happy to say the company working on Forbes Border Post is also going to work on Cashel Valley Border Post. Espungabera Border Post is functional. In Manicaland, our contribution to the national GDP comes from many sources and one of the sources is the activity at border posts. I am happy that Forbes Border Post is now being revamped and the contracted company; Forbes Border Consortium is already in place and I am told they are in the procurement stage,” added advocate Mugadza.
Smuggling is a major challenge in Africa and beyond, resulting in illegal trade, parallel markets and loss of revenue by governments.
