THE South African Police Service (SAPS) on Saturday seized R500 000 worth of Zimbabwean-bound goods abandoned at makeshift "harbour" on the banks of the Limpopo River.
The smugglers rowed their inflatable boats across the swollen river abandoning their contraband as police raided the illegal crossing point.
Goods abandoned include alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, baked foods, flour, and other consumer goods, along with a chest fridge.
A media statement by SAPS late Sunday afternoon said all the goods had been held by police for further investigations.
"The South African Police Service (SAPS) Operation Vala Umgodi National Intervention (Roving) Team has successfully thwarted a major smuggling operation along the Limpopo River, in the Musina policing area leading to the confiscation of goods valued at approximately R500,000," the statement read.
"On the morning of 11 January 2025, at around 11:20 AM, the team was conducting a routine patrol near Tshiurundu village when they received a tip-off about approximately eight (08) small boats loading goods. Upon noticing the police presence, the suspects quickly got into the boats and fled back into Zimbabwe, abandoning most of the goods behind. The confiscated items, which were likely being smuggled across the border, include alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, baked goods, flour, and other consumer goods, along with a chest fridge."
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The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commended the team for its swift action, noting that the success of the operation highlights the SAPS’s ongoing commitment to combating cross-border crimes and illegal trade activities.
SAPS recently launched drone technology at its borders to modernise its patrols and the technology has been brought to Beitbridge where surface patrols complement the development.
Scores of Zimbabwean shoppers of goods sidestep the border to avoid punitive duties pegged at 40% and above.
The punitive duty is meant to protect the local industries which most Zimbabweans believe overcharge thereby pricing themselves out of the market.
On its side, Zimbabwe has also deployed a joint national security task force against smuggling but their operations have been undermined by alleged corruption where they are believed to be accepting bribes of up to US1$500 per bus.
More than 90 long distance buses service Beitbridge locally and a similar number cross into South Africa.
