HARARE, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean authorities on Tuesday confiscated and destroyed 21 boats and 20 paddles used for smuggling goods across the Limpopo River, which forms the border between Zimbabwe and South Africa, amid an ongoing anti-smuggling campaign.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), along with border security agencies, has been intensifying efforts to combat the illegal movement of goods across borders and promote lawful trade practices.
"We remain committed to ensuring that everyone pays their fair share of duties and taxes while combating smuggling, which creates an unfair playing field for legitimate businesses and exposes society to illicit goods and substances," ZIMRA said in a statement.
The anti-smuggling campaign is part of broader measures to strengthen border security and curb illicit trade, it added.
During the 2025 national budget presentation in parliament on Jan. 31, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube said the smuggling of goods across borders not only affects tax collection but also discourages local investment.
To enforce legitimate trade, the government has identified 19 goods that will be presumed smuggled unless importers provide documentation proving the payment of duty. These include alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, cement, clothing, footwear, dairy products, diapers, electrical appliances, and other items.
The Zimbabwe-South Africa border is one of the primary routes for cross-border smuggling into Zimbabwe, where illegal traders frequently smuggle food, beverages, clothing and other goods.
