A driver employed by Munhenzva Bus Service, Casper Ranganai Pakai (29), has been fined US$400 for smuggling 200 rounds of live ammunition from South Africa into Zimbabwe. Pakai, who works for Go Well Travellers Bus Company (Munhenzva), pleaded guilty before Beitbridge magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba on Tuesday.

Pakai, residing in Glen View 1 Extension, Harare, was apprehended at the Bubi roadblock by security agents conducting the ‘No to Cross Border Crimes’ operation. The seized items included 200 rounds of 12-bore gauge calibre and 10 small boxes containing 50x650mm round pellets each.

The interception occurred as the bus, carrying 23 passengers, entered Zimbabwe through Beitbridge Border Post from Polokwane, South Africa, en route to Harare. Routine search procedures by security agents revealed the contraband.

During questioning, Pakai claimed that the smuggled items belonged to an individual named Lloyd Nyere. Nevertheless, he admitted guilt for violating the Firearms Act and was subsequently fined US$400 or faced an alternative of two months in jail. The prosecution was handled by Ronald Mugwagwa.