adminZvamaida Murwira at Forbes Border Post, MUTARE
Heavy trucks loaded with contraband and buses full of passengers are illegally using the Mount Selinda border post in Chipinge as no authority is manning the place, legislators have heard.
At Forbes Border Post near Mutare, people who would have been denied entry into the country by immigration officials were using undesignated sites owing to the porosity of the border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Acting regional immigration officer at Forbes Border Post, Mr Richard Tambandini told the portfolio committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services that they were only confined to their station so much that they watch helplessly people whom they would have denied entry crossing into Zimbabwe using undesignated entry points.
He said this would also happen in full view of the police that would have been asked to man the border post.
The committee chaired by Bubi MP Cde Clifford Sibanda (Zanu-PF) was on a fact finding visit at the Forbes Border post to familiarise with operations.
During the brief, Musikavanhu MP Mr Prosper Mutseyami (MDC-T) had asked what were the chances of a 30-tonne truck entering Zimbabwe without clearance at Mt Selinda border post in Chipinge from Mozambique.
“The chances are very high. Recently we had a bus with 107 people from Mozambique that entered illegally at that entry point. They were eventually arrested after they were intercepted. Indeed there are places in Mt Selinda where trucks, vehicles, people can cross without clearance,” said Mr Tambandini.
He said it was the responsibility of the country’s security services to make patrols at such border areas but were not doing it owing to lack of resources.
“Even if I am to go to Chipinge to talk to the police officer commanding the district to arrange for joint patrols, he will agree but wants fuel which I do not have. I will even end up forgetting his name because I do not go there often because my monthly fuel allocation is 200 litres. I have other border posts like Cashel. I also have to go to Harare almost every week with applications for permits that should be signed within a certain time-frame,” said Mr Tambandini.
Turning to Forbes border post, Mr Tambandini said there was chaos and lawlessness because of touts that would accost people either to board their cars or to assist in illegal entry.
He rapped the police manning the border post for failing to be decisive in dealing with touts whom he described as a nuisance.
Buhera Central MP Cde Ronald Muderedzwa and Buhera West legislator Cde Oliver Mandipaka (both Zanu-PF) castigated Mr Tambandini on why he had not reported the matter to the commanders of the police.
Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe MP Cde Auxillia Mnangagwa (Zanu-PF) expressed disappointment at the way security was compromised.
“I am disappointed with the situation. If the problem is not solved security remained compromised,” said Cde Mnangagwa.
Mr Tambandini said: “As long as there are people willing to be paid to assist in using undesignated points, it is a problem.”
On motoring touts, Mr Tambandini said the problem was made worse by senior officials at the border with vehicles and contracted drivers to ferry people to Mutare.
Mr Tambandini said there was need for deterrent sentences on habitual border jumpers.
He said the $20 fine was not deterrent enough because people would just flout the law and pay the fine.
Online Reporter