A Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) major has been implicated in a cross-border vehicle theft syndicate after a stolen Toyota Fortuner was recovered in neighbouring Mozambique.
The SUV, allegedly smuggled out of the country via Beitbridge with assistance from security personnel stationed at the border, has shed light on a network of criminals and corrupt officials operating across southern Africa.
In a viral video, one of the suspects confessed to involvement in the crime and identified the major as a facilitator. Said the suspect in the video:
“He (name supplied) called some officers at the post to let us through. We did not pay any money. I handed over the car and came back by motorbike.”
The video is believed to have been filmed in South Africa.
The stolen vehicle was later tracked to Mozambique and is now being kept at Beitbridge Police Station as evidence.
The suspect who appeared in the video has since been arrested and is cooperating with police in their investigation.
Beitbridge Police District Commander, Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube, confirmed that inquiries are ongoing but declined to provide further details. He said:
“Four of the suspects are on the run. We have recovered the vehicle. We cannot say much because investigations are in their infancy.
“I can only say he is helping us with investigations as it is. The vehicle was recovered in Mozambique.”
Media reports allege that soldiers and police deployed along the Limpopo River have been assisting smugglers.
Local villagers claim that, in some instances, officials hire donkeys to haul vehicles across the river.
More: Southern Eye
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