POLICE have released the names of three people arrested for smuggling 10 boxed pistols and 100 bottles of Bron Cleer syrup which were hidden in a coffin carrying a dead body at Beitbridge Border Post on Sunday this week.
In a statement yesterday, police national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the suspects were towing a trailer with a body from South Africa.
Police at Beitbridge on Sunday intercepted a consignment of guns being smuggled into the country in a Chipinge-bound hearse carrying a cadaver.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Mehluli Nkomo (35), Brendon Dube (28) and Wellington Ndlovu (34) on June 23, 2024 at Beitbridge Border Post for smuggling 10 boxed 9mm PAK pistols with empty magazines and 100x100ml Bron Cleer syrup,” Nyathi said.
“The suspects were aboard a Toyota Quantum vehicle which was towing a trailer with the dead body of Kudakwashe Saveka from South Africa.
“During the inspection of the vehicle at the Light Motor Vehicle Terminal, North Bound, Port Health Inspection Bay, the 10 firearms and 100x100ml (bottles of) Bron Cleer syrup were found stashed in a box which was covered with 40 reflector vests.”
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Meanwhile, Nyathi has said police in Beitbridge are investigating a murder case which occurred on Saturday along the Beitbridge-Panda Mine Road near Tongwani village.
“Three unknown suspects shot dead a cross-border smuggler, Philmon Chamunorwa Tongoona (33) with an unidentified firearm,” Nyathi said.
“The suspects pounced on the victim and his employee while they were guarding groceries, gas stoves and blankets which had been packed in a trailer being towed by an Isuzu KB250 vehicle. “The trailer had a mechanical fault along the way from Panda Mine, Gate 2, Beitbridge.”
He said the suspects attacked the victim’s employee before stealing a cellphone and US$150.
“Subsequently, the victim ran away from the scene and was shot on the back. The suspects stole goods and fled from the scene,” Nyathi said.
Zimbabwe has been grappling with issues of gun violence and smuggling for years, with firearms often finding their way into the hands of criminals, exacerbating security concerns in the region.
In an unrelated matter, three people died when a Stallion Cruise bus hit a cyclist.
The cyclist and two other people died when the bus hit them last Friday at around 7pm along Binga-Cross Dete Road near Bunsiwa Church of Christ, Binga.
In another matter, a one-year-six-month infant died upon admission at a hospital in Harare on Sunday morning after being run over by a Dongfeng truck which was reversing at a house in Overspill, Epworth.