Zimpapers Logo

Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau

THE Department of Immigration’s Regional Compliance and Enforcement Unit said yesterday that it was not relenting on the quest to prevent criminals and illegal migrants/immigrants from accessing the transformed Beitbridge Border Post as preparations for the Easter and school holidays gather pace.

Figures from the department show that 1 158 people were arrested for various offences relating to illegal activities between Zimbabwe and South Africa in the last three weeks.

The ongoing regional compliance operation which is also supported by other security agencies is meant to curtail criminal activities common at the port of entry during major holidays.

These include human smuggling, border jumping, touting, the use of fake immigration stamps, the use of expired visas, overstaying, and fake travel documents.

The Regional Immigration Officer in charge of the Southern region which also covers Beitbridge, Mr Joshua Chibundu, said among those rounded up were Zimbabweans, South Africans, Nigerians, Zambians, Malawians and Tanzanians.

He said they had deployed adequate staff at all hot spots and were working with other border agencies who are part of the enforcement committee to deal with the problem of touts, vendors, and vagrants on the border.

The offenders were arrested from the freight, bus and light vehicles and pedestrians terminals between 1 March and 19.

“We are not relenting and we are firm on the ground. A total of 1 167 irregular migrants were nabbed during the Daily Compliance Operation between March 1 and March 19, 2024,” said Mr Chibundu.

“Their nationalities are categorised as follows: Zimbabweans-1 158, South Africans -3, Zambians-1, Malawians -3, Nigerian-1, and Tanzanian -1

These were arrested for offences ranging from; no documentation, entry by evasion, exit by evasion, loitering/ touting, and the use of expired Visitors’ Entry Certificate”.

He said the Department was employing several strategies to minimise irregular migration at the border and its flanks.

These include carrying out joint patrols and roadblocks along the highways and borderline, and the deployment of additional staff received to man all points in the border.

In addition, Mr Chibundu said, they will continue to have all stakeholders’ meetings to discuss the best strategies to combat irregular migration.

“We are also having regular interstate meetings sharing intelligence on transnational crimes and carrying out awareness campaigns to the travelling public on dangers associated with Irregular migration,” he said.

“Travellers need to be properly documented when crossing the border. Immigration officers are there to facilitate travel, much visible in their uniforms with name tags and very approachable, so never seek for the services of touts during border clearance.”

Mr Chibundu said since schools in Zimbabwe are going to close soon the parents or guardians wishing to travel with children must ensure they have the requisite documents in addition to having valid passports.

He said they must have letters of consent from the parents and all other relevant documentation to travel with children across the international boundary.

“Additionally, let’s not risk our life and that of our children by going through the river infested with crocodiles and wildlife. Several cases of murder, rape and robbery have been reported,” said the senior Immigration Officer.

Those witnessing various Immigration related offences, he said, must make use of the department’s hotline 0801222-6.

X @tupeyo