Sundaymail Editor
Sunday Mail Reporter
Close to 13 000 people have been arrested for various immigration-related offences this year, as authorities intensify efforts to curb illicit cross-border movements.
This comes as the movement of people through the country’s ports of entry has begun to rapidly increase following the reopening of land borders in February in response to the decline of Covid-19 cases in the country.
More than 187 000 people entered the country during the first four months of the year, according to statistics from the Immigration Department.
An average of 5 000 people are passing through the country’s ports of entry daily, official data shows.
Statistics from the Immigration Department show that in January, 26 872 entered the country while 35 474 used official borders to exit.
In February, 22 919 were allowed entry into the country with 15 482 exiting through various borders.
The movement of people through the country’s borders rose sharply in March in response to the opening of land borders, with 57 662 entering Zimbabwe while 39 589 exited.
Movement through the ports peaked last month when 80 300 entered the country while 62 655 used the borders to exit.
Responding to questions from The Sunday Mail, the Immigration Department said: “An average of 5 000 people pass through the borders every single day.
“For Covid-19, we stand guided by the Ministry of Health Care (Port Health).
“Currently, we are still observing all Covid-19 containment protocols.
“We have managed to arrest 12 941 illegal immigrants so far.”
Most of those who were arrested, said the Immigration Department, were penalised for breaching Section 11 of the Immigration Act, which prohibits entry into the country through undesignated ports of entry.
“Prosecution may lead to deportation if one is a foreigner,” said the department.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter