19 600 day-old chicks that had been smuggled from South Africa into Zimbabwe across the Limpopo River were confined to the flames by authorities.
On Tuesday police intercepted and arrested Admire Ndlovu of Mwenezi and Prince Gumbo of Dulivhadzimu suburb in Beitbridge who were transporting the consignment.
Reports claim that Ndlovu was found with 8 820 chicks, while Gumbo was transporting 10 780 chicks.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the arrests on Tuesday saying:
Our team on patrol intercepted some suspects after smuggling chicks into the country.
The matter has since been referred to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) for further management.
We understand that the chicks were destroyed by fire as per standard customs regulations.
The smuggling of humans and goods along the Limpopo River has heightened following the closure of the only formal land border between Zimbabwe and South Africa at Beitbridge, as part of minimising the spread of the novel coronavirus.