CAPETOWN: The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) is launching what it calls a new “100 percent search programme” of cars and busses crossing the border at Beitbridge border here the other day.
The new measures are aimed at curbing the smuggling of South African goods into Zimbabwe and to boost revenue for the government.
The state-run Chronicle quoted officials at the border post as saying three customs officers will now be tasked with searching each and every bus, that’s up from one official per bus at the moment.
Their main target is cross-border traders who are accused of smuggling through South African groceries and even electrical goods like fridges and stoves without paying duty.
The Chronicle says Zimbabwe raises up to $60 million per month from duties charged at Beitbridge.
But government coffers are tightly squeezed and this looks like an attempt to plug even the smallest potential revenue leakages.
