Tapiwa Chirume
TREASURY’S directive for the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) to “seize any vessel or assets used in trafficking contraband goods” is in line with the need to enforce existing laws, officials say.
This comes as Finance minister Mthuli Ncube has disclosed in his proposed 2026 National Budget statement that “money laundering and other illicit financial flow-activities” were on the rise in the country, and Matabeleland South senator Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa has called for a cessation of the crackdowns on smuggled goods – via roadblocks – and on the basis that they were “unconstitutional, and hurting the poor”.
But Treasury officials yesterday said the Zimra-led operations and other stricter deterrent measures were needed to stop this undesirable scourge, which was damaging local industries.
“The November 12 directive to the revenue collector was not a new policy announcement or decision, but operational edict motivated by the need to correct certain things and an initiative guided by existing laws such as section 193 – as read with chapter 23 of 188 chapter – of the Customs and Exchange Act as well as the Finance Act of 2025, which deems any goods without paperwork as smuggled,” a senior official told the Daily News.
“As such, the ministry is simply trying to enforce these regulations, which call for the forfeiture of goods imported or brought into Zimbabwe under these circumstances and this is important to protect local industry from unfair competition and ensure revenue that’s due to the fiscus is realised.”
Early last month, Finance secretary George Guvamatanga dispatched a note to Zimra to the effect that it must seize and forfeit any smuggled goods, and conveyancing car, ship or aircraft forthwith and without recourse to any fines or duty payments.
This, departmental bosses say, will serve as a strong deterrent to the illicit trade and dealing in contraband goods.
“Whilst Treasury appreciates the progress made so far on the anti-smuggling campaign, there is a need for… public awareness on the dangers… and the consequences thereof. In this regard, where the law prescribes forfeiture of any goods… the said goods should be forfeited to the State without reservation,” Guvamatanga said in his November 12 letter to Zimra commissioner-general Regina Chinamasa.
“Furthermore, where the smuggled goods cost more than the payable duty, Zimra is directed to automatically forfeit such goods with no option to pay duty,” he said.
Since late last year, the government has embarked on massive anti-smuggling and anti-counterfeit operations or campaigns, and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has also confirmed that Harare was contemplating tough legal instruments to discourage these undesirable economic developments.
Speaking at a recent Zimra taxpayers appreciation awards, deputy Finance minister Kudakwashe Mnangagwa said tax evasion, corruption, customs fraud and other forms of non-compliant actions were not a “victimless act, but a direct assault on the nation and people’ progress as well as future generations’ welfare” as they robbed Zimbabwe of vital resources to drive national development.