Home Affairs Minister Defends Border Technology Amid Gold Smuggling Accusations
By Delicious Mathuthu
Harare, Zimbabwe – Members of Parliament are demanding answers from the Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Hon. Kazembe Kazembe, on persistent gold smuggling despite new border technology at Zimbabwe’s airports during a question and answer session with members of the cabinet.
Shamva North Legislator, Honourable Isaac Chinodakufa, opened the debate by asking the country’s stance towards mordernising airport border technologies to curb smuggling.
“What is Government policy regarding deploying modern electronic border systems at our airports and border posts?”
In response, Minister Kazembe said progress has been made in a few of the country’s airports.
“We have made significant progress. We now have e-gates at Robert Mugabe International Airport, Victoria Falls, and Beitbridge, allowing passport scanning without officer interaction. This is part of our Integrated ICT (Information and Communication Technology) System rollout,” he said.
Dangamvura law-maker, Honourable Prosper Mutseyami however challenged the effectiveness of the systems mentioned by the Minister.
“With all this technology in place, how is it that gold is still being smuggled out and only detected in foreign airports like OR Tambo (in South Africa)?” Honourable Mutseyami asked.
Responding, Minister Kazembe said: “Smuggling remains a challenge, and our police are actively investigating. If Members have evidence, we are ready to act.”
Members in the house were however not satisfied with the Minister’s response, highlighting that high profile individuals are in the forefront of gold smuggling, hence fears of them being assisted in evading borders, and being protected from persecution.
Mbizo Member of Parliament, Honourable Coban Madzivanyika raised concerns about televised reports implicating high-profile individuals in gold smuggling.
“Are you investigating the leaders named in these broadcasts?” Hon. Madzivanyika asked.
However, Parliament Deputy Speaker, Hon. Tsitsi Gezi interjected, cutting off the line of questioning.
“We do not discuss social media rumours in this House unless there is evidence,” she said.
Illicit mineral flows have become a concern in Zimbabwe with serious allegations of well politically connected individuals being in the fore front.
Several investigations and cases exposed have pointed to connected individuals being part of massive gold and other minerals smuggling, with responsible authorities allegedly looking the other way on those caught, or given light sentences.
