By Paul Nyathi|Early reports from Beitbridge indicate that foul play is suspected in the fire that burnt down a Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) warehouse at the Border Post.

Sources within the border disclosed to ZimEye.com that there is a possibility that the warehouse was set ablaze by employees in the government revenue department after some queries were raised on the records of goods confiscated from travellers who could not pay duty or the goods were being smuggled.

According to the sources, senior officials in the department at the border and at the Head Office in Harare will be implicated if thorough investigations on the matter are carried out.

“There has been a lot of corrupt activities at the warehouse some involving senior officials here and in Harare and we are not surprised that the building has been set on fire,” said the source.

“This is a clear process of burning up evidence by the looters,” he added.

High corruption levels at one of the busiest inland border posts on the continent attracted the ire of President Emmerson who last year warned the authorities at the border that government will catch up with them.

Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony of the $241 million expansion of the Border Post in July last year, Mnangagwa warned that his government was prioritising putting order at the border.

Several members of the Zimbabwe National Army and state security agents were immediately deployed at the border raising serious fears amongst the customs and immigration officials at the point of entry.

“I direct all men and women within our border control institutions to stop all forms of corruption and chicanery.

Perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law. Please stand warned,” Said Mnangagwa.

Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not comment on the issue saying that he is yet to be briefed of the incident.

More to follow ….