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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
MANGWE Rural District Council has raised concern over a looming health hazard at Nxele Business Centre in Izimnyama Ward which has been caused by smugglers who transport goods from Botswana into the country through undesignated points.

In a report presented during a full council meeting recently, Mangwe Rural District Council acting chief executive officer, Mr Johnson Sibanda said plans were underway to engage relevant authorities in order to curb the problem.

“There is a state of environmental disaster at Nxele Business Centre in Izimnyama Ward. This is because of a hive of activities by smugglers who use undesignated entry points to bring in goods into the country from Botswana.

“The business centre and surrounding areas are now full of litter which poses as a health threat. Plans are underway to engage the police, EMA, Zimra and the Department of Immigration over the matter,” he said.

Smugglers use undesignated entry points to convey goods from Botswana into the country. Some smugglers carry out these illegal activities with the assistance of villagers located close to the Botswana- Zimbabwe border.

Turning to projects that were ongoing in the district, Mr Sibanda said the local authority was constructing two piped water schemes in Tshitshi and Ngulubeni Wards which were expected to be completed within the next two weeks.

He said these projects would help to reduce distances walked by villagers to reach water points for both domestic and commercial use.

He said the local authority recently received $22 600 for road maintenance works within the district.

Mr Sibanda said activities of private cattle buyers remained a concern and were affecting council’s revenue base. He said a consultative meeting with various stakeholders was held recently and stiffer measures were set to control the activities of private buyers.

“The rate of private buying of livestock within the district is increasing at an alarming rate. It was therefore agreed during a consultative meeting that the police and veterinary department will not give permits or clear cattle bought for commercial purposes without council approval.

“Private buyers will be expected to visit the council offices first where they will pay a levy. They will be issued with an invoice which they will be expected to produce in order to get clearance and a movement permit,” he said.

Mr Sibanda said the local authority had also engaged the police to put this strategy into effect at roadblocks.

@DubeMatutu