Tanaka Chare
A Mupedzanhamo flea market vendor, Victor Chinyike (46), was arrested by the police patrol team on 24 February 2025 at around 1200 hours on the Gokwe-Siabuwa road in the Svisvi area under Chief Nemangwe Gokwe South for smuggling second hands goods.
According to Midlands Liason Officer Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, the suspect was arrested in connection with the case of smuggling goods, as defined in Section 182 of The Customs and Exercise Act, Chapter 23. 02.
In the process, 62 x 50 kilograms sacks of new shoes, three bales of Java garments and one bale of second-hand clothes were recovered and taken to ZRP Gokwe Police Station as exhibits.
The total value of the recovered consignment is yet to be ascertained.
Chinyike is a Waterfalls resident who operates at the Mupedzanhamo flea market in Harare.
Inspector Mahoko went on to say that the police patrol team, in collaboration with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), arrested the suspect during a routine stop-and-search exercise.
The suspect was arrested after a routine stop and search carried out by a Police Patrol team comprising detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department, Support unit who had discovered a Mercedes Benz motor vehicle registration number AES 1407 which had a breakdown.
The arrest is in line with a National operation against smuggling of goods into the country which the Government launched in November 2024.
Mahoko applauded the members of the public who assisted with information or any support deemed necessary for the objectives that were achieved.
We take this opportunity to thank members of the public who cooperate with the police by assisting with information or any support deemed necessary for policing objectives to be achieved.
Meanwhile, a portion of Zvishavane’s Novale road has developed a huge crack due to illegal mining activities, a worrying development that has raised safety concerns among the traveling public and residents.
In the National Development Strategy One (NDS1) blueprint, mining has been identified as a key accelerator to Vision 2030, however, illegal mining activities are hindering progress.
Zvishavane District Development Coordinator, Mr Darlington Chokera condemned illegal mining activities, occurring around residential areas and public infrastructures, saying concerted efforts are needed to curb the scourge.
“We are going to embark on an aggressive operation to flush out these malcontents and we also plead with members of the community to help us stop this infrastructure destruction by informing the authorities as and when they see illegal and dangerous activities such as this,” he said.
The Novale Road is a critical artery, connecting several communities and businesses in Zvishavane.
