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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Police have intensified patrols in Beitbridge town in light of an increase in cases of unlawful entries and incidents of plain robberies.
Police Officer Commanding Beitbridge district Chief Superintendent Patrick Mujuta said they scaled up operations after the International Organisation for Migration stopped rendering transport assistance to border jumpers above the age of 17 with effect from January 1.
He said in some cases the border jumpers were left stranded and some had resorted to crime to raise transport money to either their homes or back to South Africa.
“We have increased visibility and patrols in all crime hotspot areas with a view to reducing plain robberies and unlawful entries,” he said.
He said they had introduced the beat systems, foot and motorised patrols adding that they would continue to review progress every week.
He said with regards to unlawful entries the suspects were targeting cellphones and plasma television sets.
“We have deployed enough manpower across the town and we feel it is better to dwell more on crime prevention than wait for the worst.
“We are also urging the public to complement our efforts to eliminate criminals and other unruly elements from the society,” he said.
IOM’s chief of mission to Zimbabwe Mr Martin Ocaga said recently that they had scaled down transport assistance which he said would be offered within different operational modalities.
The organisation is now offering transport assistance to unaccompanied children under 17.
Since its inception in 2006, the Beitbridge Reception and Support Centre has provided assistance to 385 483 returned migrants from South Africa while 179 570 returned migrants have been assisted at the Plumtree Reception and Support Centre since its inception in 2008.
On average, Botswana and South Africa deport between 80 and 100 Zimbabweans for violating immigration laws.
Online Reporter