Beitbridge Correspondent
Authorities have seized more than four tonnes of meat allegedly smuggled into Zimbabwe through an illegal crossing point in Beitbridge, raising fresh concerns over food safety and the growing illicit trade in unregulated products.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) said its officers intercepted 4,330 kilogrammes of meat, comprising 3,480kg of sausages, 810kg of chicken cuts and 40kg of polony.
The consignment was being brought into the country without the permits and clearances required for meat imports.
ZIMRA said the seizure exposed the dangers posed by smugglers who bypass veterinary, biosafety and food safety controls in pursuit of illegal profits.
The importation of meat and meat products is strictly regulated and requires biosafety, veterinary and Control of Goods permits. Some products also require an import licence issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
“This interception is more than stopping smuggling. It is about protecting our communities and ensuring that meat entering the country complies with the required safety and regulatory standards,” said ZIMRA.
The authority warned consumers against buying meat from unlicensed traders, saying products moved through illegal channels may not have undergone the inspections needed to protect public health.
“We urge the public to buy meat from licensed retailers and never buy or support the trade in smuggled goods,” ZIMRA said.
The seizure comes as the Government intensifies its crackdown on smuggling at border posts and illegal entry points across the country.
Beitbridge, one of Zimbabwe’s busiest gateways and a major corridor for cross-border trade, has come under increased scrutiny as authorities step up surveillance and enforcement operations.
ZIMRA has repeatedly warned that smuggling deprives the State of revenue while exposing consumers to potentially dangerous goods that evade regulatory and quality controls.
