Dubious dealings and smuggling at the country’s borders are increasingly getting out of hand. Resultantly, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has decided to procure drones worth US$ 2 million to combat this problem.
No, this is not just an idea that is yet to be considered. ZIMRA has expressed that these plans are already at an advanced stage. CCTV cameras are to be placed at the country’s entry points and in other strategic locations.
The ZIMRA head office will have access to the live footage from the border post. Tightening border controls in this way serves to expand the transit economy with Zimbabwe acting as a transit hub in our region.The idea of dry ports like Makuti and Forbes will also be implemented as a result.
Where will ZIMRA get the money to fund such a project?
In an interview with the media, ZIMRA revealed that the 2021 budget facilitates the instalment of these surveillance systems. These funds came from a reported sealing of 35 076 trucks in 2020 which contributed US$1 083,302,88 through sealing fees.
There is also another issue of the importation of restricted or prohibited goods which ZIMRA addressed in the following statement:
“Electronic seals are affixed to cargo containers, box trucks, soft-sided trucks (flat decks with side curtains), tankers, and break bulk (goods under tarpaulin). The electronic seals send regular signals to the control room to show the location of the cargo.
The electronic seal connects to the internet and the control room is manned 24 hours a day and relays information of violations to the reaction teams,”
Punitive measures will be imposed if the truck seals are tampered with, opened or lost. Trucks that divert from their geo-fenced routes will also be fined US$2 000.