Crime and Courts
Groundnut Smugglers Foiled
A routine border patrol operation led to the apprehension of a Mozambican national and a Mutare-based groundnut smuggler along Beira Road, seizing over 480 sacks of the valuable legume.
Court records state that duo appeared Willard Obete Luis (37) of Manica, Mozambique and Oscar Makawi (37) of Dangamvura, Mutare, for smuggling 458 sacks of groundnuts into Zimbabwe in violation of the Customs and Excise Act.
NPA said on 23August 2025, police officers on patrol along Beira Road intercepted a truck driven by Luis. “Upon inspection, the truck was found loaded with groundnuts belonging to Makawi.
“The driver failed to produce any declaration forms for the consignment.
“The truck and goods were escorted to ZRP Mutare Central and later handed over to ZIMRA, which confirmed the consignment was smuggled.”
The potential prejudice was USD 2 500.
“The goods were forfeited to the state.
“Both offenders were sentenced to pay a fine of USD 1,000 each, or face 12 months in prison if they default. The recovered groundnuts were forfeited to ZIMRA,” said NPA