Officials of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) at the Beit Bridge border post have intercepted three haulage trucks loaded with stolen copper cables to the value of about R70 000.

ZIMRA spokesperson Mr Canisio Mudzimu said the first incident occurred last Monday. A truck intending to cross the border into South Africa was intercepted with 226 kg of scrap copper, concealed in a tyre, disguised as a spare wheel.

“We have since established that most of the copper belongs to a local telephone company. Upon arrest, the driver’s explanation was that he had offered transport to the female owner of the tyres, who, he claimed, was taking them to South Africa for repair. Both the driver and the passenger were arrested and they are in police custody,” he said.

In the second incident, which occurred on Thursday, ZIMRA officials intercepted a truck with 610 kg of stolen copper. “The copper cables were hidden in two tyres,” he said. “We intercepted the third truck shortly after the second. About 350 kg of copper cable, hidden under a folded tent, was discovered in the truck,” said Mudzimu.

Police confirmed the arrests, saying they were continuing with investigations. The suspects are expected to appear in court soon, while a manhunt for their accomplices has since been launched.

“As ZIMRA, we have noted that theft, vandalism and smuggling of copper cables are derailing the economic recovery process and hence we are responding to the proliferation of these vices by making smuggling a profitless enterprise through innovative strategies,” said Mudzimu.

He said they were working with the police in curbing rampant smuggling occurring at Beit Bridge border post.