Two Men Fined US$1,000 Each For Smuggling Groundnuts Into Zimbabwe

A Mozambican national and a Zimbabwean man have been convicted by the Mutare Magistrates’ Court for smuggling hundreds of sacks of groundnuts into the country in violation of the Customs and Excise Act.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Wilfred Obete Luis of Mozambique and Oscar Makawi of Mutare were arrested on 23 August 2025 after police intercepted a truck along Beira Road.

The vehicle, driven by Luis, was found loaded with 458 sacks of groundnuts belonging to Makawi.

Prosecutors said the consignment, valued at US$2,500, had not been declared to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and was being transported without the required declaration forms. The goods were consigned to ZIMRA Mutare Central.

Both men were convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of US$1,000 each. In default of payment, they will serve 12 months in prison.

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