14 May 2023

Ramotswa police confiscated close to 300 bags of onions and 50 bags of potatoes from suspected vegetable smugglers on Thursday and Friday following an indefinite operation and a tip off. 

In an interview Ramotswa Police Deputy Station Commander Assistant Superintendent Tlammana Goje said five men, two Batswana and three Zimbabweans were in police custody helping with investigations. 

ASP Goje said the men would face charges of importation of prohibited goods. 

He said on Friday Police mounted a roadblock on the Boatle-Gaborone dual carriageway and stopped and searched a Dyna truck. ASP Goje said following interrogation the driver admitted to have smuggled the goods through an ungazzetted point along the Ramotswa borderline. 

He said the other suspects were nabbed near Sefalana following a tip off. The last suspect was arrested whilst selling bags of onions to street vendors near the New Choppies complex in Ramotswa. Mr Goje said there had been several cases of smuggling of certain prohibited products in the past. 

He applauded members of the community for assisting by raising alarm against offenders. 

Last year government imposed restriction on importation of some vegetable in order to encourage food retailers to buy from local farmers. It was also meant to stimulate local food production to self-sufficiency levels. ends