‘Arrest top cops involved in smuggling’

POLICE Commissioner General - Godwin Matanga - on Tuesday fumed at senior police officers in Manicaland whom he said were steering smuggling syndicates operating along the Zimbabwe/Mozambique borderline, making it difficult for the country to close the leakages that are bleeding the economy millions of dollars in revenue.

Addressing senior and junior cops at Mutare Main Camp during his first visit to the province since becoming the police boss, Comm Gen Matanga said some senior police officers were integral members of well known smuggling syndicates.

“It is on record that smuggling is rife along the stretch of the Zimbabwe/Mozambique borderline which you police. For some time, I have been trying to figure out why this is so; with the collective effort from other stakeholders, why are we failing to make headway in ridding the society of this menace?,” he said.

“The explanation I am receiving is dumbfounding, to say the least. It is beyond the realms of my imagination that amongst you, there are some who have the nerve to engage in despicable acts to promote smuggling. I am told, some are integral members of syndicates and specialise in facilitating the smuggling of bales of second hand clothing through provision of escort services and others act as the conduits for various contraband.”

Comm Gen Matanga warned his officers to stop the ills forthwith:

“Let me thus warn those that are engaging in such sordid acts that they are already determining their own fate. If they opt to remain aboard their corruption boat, they must know