10 Oct 2024

Over P1.1 million worth of goods were smuggled into Botswana in 2023 while this year the smuggled goods were valued at P880 000.

Such goods included cigarettes, medication, maize extruded snacks, currency and vegetables.

Speaking in a recent interview, Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) general manager – Communications, Ms Mable Bolele said last year’s illegal importation of goods resulted in 98 cases while this year BURS recorded 81 cases so far.

Ms Bolele said all goods that were smuggled into Botswana were confiscated and offenders fined as per section 96 (8) of the Customs Act.

“Section 96 of the Customs Act obligates every person entering or leaving Botswana to declare goods in their possession to the Revenue Service at their first point of entry either at inland borders or airports,” she explained.

She said out of 81 cases, 33 were pending while 48 had been completed.

Ms Bolele regretted that at Ramokgwebana border gate BURS was encountering a large number of cases involving the illegal importation and exportation of goods both through the border or un-gazetted areas.

Another challenge, Ms Bolele said was that some people assisted smugglers by harbouring smuggled goods in their compound. She said BURS was hard at work patrolling all border lines to try to arrest smugglers and deter illegal activities. ENDs