Police in Zimbabwe have arrested two South African immigration officials and their Zimbabwean counterpart as they tried to smuggle cigarettes and ivory across the border into South Africa, a newspaper reported on Saturday.
The three were arrested on Thursday evening on the Zimbabwean side of Beitbridge border post by detectives following a tip-off, the state-controlled Herald said.
”I can confirm that we have arrested two South African immigration officers and one Zimbabwean man for conniving to smuggle cigarettes and ivory ornaments,” police spokesperson Andrew Phiri was quoted as saying.
He said 412 cartons of cigarettes and five bags with more than 100 pieces of ivory ornaments concealed under blankets were discovered. ”The ornaments included raw ivory, bangles, watches, necklaces and various ivory carvings,” the Herald said.
The paper said the trio were using a vehicle from South Africa’s Home Affairs department that had been used to transport illegal Zimbabwean immigrants back to Zimbabwe. The truck had dropped off a load of illegal immigrants, but made a detour to a house in Beitbridge town to collect the ivory trinkets and cigarettes, the paper said.
As Zimbabwe’s economy deteriorates, South Africa with its strong currency provides a lucrative market for smuggled goods, especially cigarettes that are sometimes stashed inside empty fuel tankers. – Sapa-DPA