Vegetable smuggling soars as horticulture ban chokes supply

While government’s plan in implementing the ban was to stimulate local production by ring-fencing the local market for local producers, seasonal supply shortages are reportedly forcing some informal sector players to risk harsh fines and penalties to smuggle supply.

According to the Botswana Unified Revenue Service, first-time offenders who are caught smuggling vegetables worth less than P2,500 faces fines of P50,000, while second-time offenders are charged P150,000. Repeat offenders face criminal prosecution.