The Government is set to deploy drones at the Plumtree Border Post, followed by Victoria Falls, in an effort to curb smuggling and enhance security at ports of entry. This initiative aims to boost revenue collection and promote transparency and accountability in line with global best practices.
Speaking at an editors’ breakfast meeting in Bulawayo, organized by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) and sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Zimra’s Director of ICT, Mr. Shami Moyo, highlighted the benefits of drone deployment in combating smuggling.
He noted that Zimra has fully embraced drone technology to help curb various crimes at the borders. “Drone technology has simplified operations in many areas. For Zimra, we have successfully used them to patrol our borders. These drones have night vision capabilities and can operate at any time of day. We can zoom in on and track any object of interest, even moving ones,” he explained.
Mr. Moyo added that drones have provided access to previously inaccessible points. “There are several illegal crossing points that people have created, and using drone technology, we can now monitor these points. Our drones are quite mobile, enabling us to implement and monitor any area of interest. Although Beitbridge is where the drones were initially launched, they are not limited to that location and can be used wherever needed,” he said.
-sundaynews
