Truck Driver in Court for Smuggling

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

A truck driver and three accomplices have appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Courts on charges of smuggling goods valued at approximately US$4,000.

The accused, Shorai Zhakata, 38, Madeline Musendo, 30, Susan Nyamunda, 30, and Janet Chizanga, 46, are set to return to court on January 1, 2025. The complainant in the case is the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

Prosecutor Rufaro Chonzi told the court that on December 1, 2024, Zhakata was driving a J and J truck with registration numbers ACE 2576 (horse) and ABB 0565 (trailer) from Zambia through Chirundu Border Post. Acting on a tip-off about smuggled goods, Zhakata’s employer, through manager Simba Matsikire, assigned Kamanga Chizuzu to investigate.

Chizuzu intercepted Zhakata at the corner of Coventry and Rekai Tangwena roads in Harare after following him from Banket. A search of the truck revealed undeclared goods, including: 300 cases of 12x250ml Brother’s drinks, 242 cases of 6x2-litre Coke bottles, 100 cases of 6x1-litre Coke bottles and 30 cases of 12x250ml milk bottles

When asked for declaration papers for the drinks, Zhakata failed to produce any. After refusing to comply with Chizuzu’s request to drive to the company garage, Zhakata was arrested with the assistance of the police, and the goods were confiscated by ZIMRA.

Musendo, Nyamunda, and Chizanga later surrendered themselves to the police while attempting to reclaim the goods and were subsequently arrested.