Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
CHILD smuggling cases between Zimbabwe and South Africa are on the rise, with recent incidents highlighting the vulnerability of children to exploitation during irregular migration.
“The practice is common during major public and school holidays in both countries and in some instances the children are smuggled into Zimbabwe or South Africa via Botswana,” noted a border official who cannot be named for professional reasons.
Most recently, the South African Border Management Authority (BMA) intercepted 33 children being smuggled out of that country into Zimbabwe in two separate groups.
So far, two Zimbabweans have been arrested for allegedly facilitating the illegal movement of the children and are expected to stand trial at the Musina Magistrate Court.
The incidents have sparked concerns about child safety and potential exploitation, with investigations suggesting possible links to organised networks exploiting minors through irregular cross-border activities.
“In many cases, families may lack the financial means or documentation required to obtain valid travel documents, forcing them to resort to informal border crossings,” noted the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Zimbabwe in a statement.
“Despite the dangers involved, parents may feel compelled by circumstances to choose irregular migration as a means of securing a future for their children,” the organisation added.
Regional Immigration Officer in charge of the Southern Region, Mr Joshua Chibundu, provided figures on the scale of the problem.
“Last year, we processed a total of 103 minors, including 72 males and 31 females, who had been smuggled into South Africa. Working with other line departments, these were reunited with their families.”
He noted that the number of children being intercepted has been declining each year owing to intensified border control.
“In previous years, authorities were processing an average of 350 unaccompanied minors yearly at Beitbridge border post,” said Mr Chibundu.
Authorities from both nations continue to stress the importance of proper documentation.
“We advise parents to ensure their children are accompanied by reliable relatives as they pass through the border. In addition, they must carry with them the necessary supporting documents in addition to having valid passports,” said Mr Chibundu.
Under current regulations, children travelling with guardians require, in addition to a valid passport, a copy of the birth certificate and affidavits from parents giving consent. For one parent travelling with a child, an affidavit from the non-travelling parent is required, together with copies of the parents’ IDs or passports.
It costs US$170 or R2 900 to apply for an ordinary Zimbabwean passport, with production taking between seven and 10 working days. Applicants require birth certificates and national IDs, with young children also requiring their parents’ IDs.
Cross-border cooperation is intensifying to address the issue. Last week, South Africa’s BMA and Department of Social Development (DSD) held a high-level engagement at the Zimbabwean Embassy.
“The engagement builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2025 between the Minister of Social Development, Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe and her Zimbabwean counterpart, which provides a formal framework for cooperation on social development priorities, child protection and cross-border coordination,” reads a joint statement from the BMA and DSD.
BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato, who attended the meeting, reaffirmed the close cooperation.
“He emphasised the importance of tackling common challenges collectively and noted that the meeting explored areas of collaboration to raise awareness on migration issues affecting travellers, intending to improve compliance with immigration requirements,” the statement said.
The parties agreed to establish a joint technical task team to proactively address operational and policy issues related to cross-border movements, with a particular focus on the protection of minors.
IOM Zimbabwe is providing support to both governments.
“This support includes technical assistance in developing and implementing standard operating procedures for the identification, referral, and protection of smuggled or trafficked children,” said IOM Zimbabwe spokesperson Mrs Fadzai Nyamande-Pangeti.
She added that IOM facilitates cross-border coordination, offers capacity-building workshops and supports the safe return and reintegration of affected children.
“Additionally, IOM also supports the implementation of community-based awareness campaigns on safe migration and regular pathways,” she said.
To prevent parents from resorting to smugglers, Mrs Nyamande-Pangeti suggested several measures.
“Improving access to legal documentation and simplifying cross-border travel procedures for families can reduce the incentive for irregular travel,” she said.
“There should be measures to hold smugglers accountable through intelligence-led investigations, financial tracking and asset seizure, and cross-border law enforcement cooperation.”
As the two nations grapple with this persistent challenge, the recurrence of cases calls for continued vigilance, strengthened regional cooperation and heightened community awareness to protect children from exploitation and the dangers of irregular migration.
Peter Tanyanyiwa