The anti-graft body said the country’s borders had become
enablers of high-level criminal activity, including drug trafficking, livestock
theft, money-laundering and smuggling of minerals, which it says is costing the
country about US$1,8 billion per annum in illicit financial flows.
Zacc has lately been targeting cross-border transporters to
stop rampant smuggling of goods and human trafficking.
The sting operation has irked transport operators, who feel
they were being unfairly treated.
Officially opening a capacity-building workshop on
financial investigation and asset recovery, facilitated by the International
Centre for Asset Recovery, Zacc chairperson Loice Matanda-Moyo said they were
targeting the taxman and other law enforcement agencies for abetting corruption
at the borders.
“Investigations are underway, and we are investigating
Zimra officials and the law enforcement agencies at the border posts to find
out how those buses are actually bypassing regulations at the entry points,”
Matanda-Moyo said.
“The buses are now being used to carry contraband from
South Africa, and they are evading taxes. One of the cases we are fighting is
smuggling, which has become so intense in the country, resulting in the loss of
billions of dollars in revenue. Once we dwindle funds to the State, then there
will be no funds to build infrastructure, no funds to provide drugs in the
hospitals, no funds to build even schools, and so everybody needs to know that
they must comply with the rules.”
She said high-profile individuals would also be
investigated if they were found to be involved in smuggling activities.
“People must learn to follow the rules and that’s why we
are on a campaign right now to educate members of the public on the dangers of
participating in corruption, which is expensive for the country,” Matanda-Moyo
said.
All assets seized will be forfeited to the State, she
added. She, however, bemoaned lack of skills among law enforcement agents to
help fight graft. Newsday
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