Online Reporter
Christopher Nyika
A HIGH-STAKES dragnet dubbed Operation No to Touts, Vendors and Illegal Immigrants turned the Limpopo River Border topsy turvy on 8 October, as Zimbabwean and South African security forces swooped on criminals in a dramatic cross-border crackdown.
In a four-hour sweep that ran from 10AM to 2PM, officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and South African Police Service (SAPS) flushed out touts, smugglers and border jumpers who have been wreaking havoc along the Beitbridge stretch.
By the time the dust settled, 28 people were in cuffs, facing a cocktail of charges that included illegal border crossing, smuggling, drug dealing and possession of unregistered medicines.
The operation was led by a powerhouse team; Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube of ZRP Beitbridge, Superintendent Oliver Manenji, Major Wellington Kuchinani from the ZNA and SAPS Lieutenant Colonel Lettie Mashudu Mufara, who co-ordinated movements from both sides of the bridge, trapping suspects like rats in a maze. According to police, 18 suspects were nabbed for unlawfully entering a protected area, while seven others were busted trying to sneak into South Africa through bushy paths.
Among the offenders was Obey Mahutse, a drifter with no fixed address, caught red-handed with dagga stubs and a 100ml bottle of Broncleer cough syrup, the street favourite for those chasing a cheap high.
At Point 40, Beitbridge locals Elvis Ndlovu (26) and Mike Takaendesa, were stopped in their tracks while driving Dyna trucks loaded with bales of clothes, detergents and washing powder. They later confessed to smuggling the loot from South Africa. Their cases have since been handed over to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) Anti-Smuggling Unit.
In another twist, security forces discovered and torched a makeshift boat used by smugglers and border jumpers near the Parks area, sending a fiery warning to other would-be offenders.
Most of the suspects paid fines ranging between US$15 and US$30, while hardcore offenders are expected to appear in court soon.
Police hailed the blitz as a success and promised more lightning raids to restore order along the busy border. The clampdown follows a trilateral security meeting held last month at Blue Villa Lodge in Beitbridge where law enforcement bosses from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana vowed to tighten the screws on cross-border crime.
“This is just the beginning,” said an officer. “The Limpopo will no longer be a playground for criminals.”
