A war veterans’ organisation said on Friday that customs officials in Zimbabwe impounded thousands of red paper poppies sent from Britain for ceremonies commemorating the end of World War I.
Red poppies are traditionally worn in the lapel in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday, the closest Sunday to November 11, honouring the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.
British and allied veterans hold parades and memorial services around the world.
The Legion, a British veterans’ group, said Zimbabwe customs demanded Z$53-million Zimbabwe (about R5 900) in duty and tax for about 20 000 poppies donated by an affiliated British group.
A Legion official said the group has appealed to the controller of customs to release the poppies, but does not expect to receive them by Sunday. He said poppies left over from last year will be used.
No comment was immediately available from customs authorities.
The Legion official said the poppies are not sold, but are given out — usually in return for cash donations used to run ex-servicemen’s welfare and charity groups.
Veterans and military attaches from allied embassies lay wreaths at a monument in Harare on Armistice Day each year. — Sapa-AP