By SANFROSSA MANYINDA
GOVERNMENT has intensified the fight against smuggling at Mokambo border in Mufulira district, District Commissioner (DC) Mike Manda has said.
Mr Manda said intensified patrols and community sensitisation in the area had continued in order to discourage the vice.
He observed that the issue was becoming a huge challenge as some people were now trying to start smuggling flour, which was not previously peddled across the border.
The DC was speaking with the Daily Nation in Mufulira yesterday.
“We need to join hands and fight together if this vice is to be curbed because continuing with it will do nothing but take the country backwards in terms of development as most smugglers are running away from ZRA taxes.
“People need to be patriotic enough by doing the right thing and always bear in mind that the government was doing whatever it was doing for the good of the country,” he said.
Mr Manda warned that those who would be found wanting risked being imprisoned with hard labour.
He said it was important that citizens committed themselves to doing what was noble if the desired development was to be achieved across the country.
Mr Manda said that Government departments would continue monitoring the situation without restricting themselves to thwarting mealie-meal smuggling but other items as well.
The DC was however happy with the positive response from the community.