Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, has emphasized that the government’s ongoing crackdown on smuggling is specifically designed to protect retailers from the damaging effects of illicit trade.
Speaking on the matter, Minister Ncube acknowledged the severe toll that smuggling has taken on local businesses, particularly retailers, who have voiced concerns over the detrimental impact on their operations.
“The issue for retailers who are struggling is that smuggling is hacking their businesses,” Ncube stated. He added that manufacturers have also raised similar concerns, as smuggling undermines their capacity to thrive in the market.
The minister explained that the government’s blitz on smuggling is a direct response to these challenges, aimed at reducing the flow of illegal goods and ensuring that Zimbabwean retailers are able to compete on a level playing field.
“We have had this blitz on smuggling to make sure that we slow down this illicit behavior,” Ncube said, underlining the importance of protecting legitimate businesses from the destructive effects of smuggling.
In his remarks, Ncube also expressed his readiness to engage with the retail sector to address any other issues negatively impacting businesses, assuring that efforts would be made to unblock any challenges they face.
“We are very happy to look into areas or key issues that are impacting the sector negatively and I will engage them to make sure we can unblock those challenges that they face,” he concluded.
The crackdown on smuggling comes as part of the government’s broader strategy to safeguard the retail sector and ensure that it remains a competitive and sustainable part of the economy.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has launched a vigorous campaign against smuggling, emphasizing its detrimental effects on local economies, public health, and government revenue. In response, the government introduced Statutory Instrument 7 of 2025, which presumes 19 specified goods (like alcohol, clothing, and dairy products) as smuggled unless proven otherwise with proper import documentation. ZIMRA has refuted claims that their crackdown disrupts supply chains, attributing such issues to businesses’ reliance on illicit goods and operational inefficiencies, while encouraging public reporting of smuggling and tax evasion to maintain economic integrity.
