A COMBINED police-army operation in Mutare has sealed off all illegal entry points into Mozambique from Zimbabwe in a blitz which netted hundreds of cross-border traders.
The traders allegedly enter Mozambique through bushes surrounding Mutare's low density residential suburbs of Morningside, Darlington, Bordervale, Greenside and Tiger's Kloof.
The traders have been observed in the early hours of the day, trekking back from Mozambique with empty bags in hand.
The legal entry point is through Forbes border post. During the night, the traders allegedly make their way to neighbouring Mozambique through the mountains which divide the two countries, to sell scarce commodities such as salt, sugar, cooking oil, margarine and white maize- meal.
Last week, heavily armed police and soldiers raided major wholesalers in Mutare and impounded essential commodities worth millions of dollars after suspecting the companies of hoarding the products and selling them to illegal traders for export.
Edmund Maingire, the provincial police spokesman, could not be reached for comment yesterday. There was no immediate comment from the army either.
The country has been dogged by shortages of basic commodities since the government embarked on its controversial land reform programme, disrupting farming activities and forcing industries to shut down.
Security roadblocks are mounted along the Beira Road towards Forbes border post where vehicles crossing into Mozambique are thoroughly searched .
An immigration officer who refused to be named said: "This is a joint operation by the police and soldiers. Our department has nothing to do with that.
"We heard that illegal cross-border traders are being beaten up, but have not actually got in contact with the victims."
The immigration officer dismissed reports that military weapons were being smuggled into the country through the border post as claimed by the police.
"We have not heard of any such cases," he said. "If indeed that's happening, it is certainly not through Forbes border post."
