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Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE Department of Immigration’s Regional Compliance and Enforcement Unit has said it is not relenting on its quest to prevent criminals and illegal migrants/immigrants from accessing the transformed Beitbridge Border Post.
Figures from the department show that 3 493 people were arrested for various offences relating to illegal activities between Zimbabwe and South Africa between December 1 and January 7.
The on-going regional compliance operation which is also supported by other border agencies is meant to curtail criminal activities, among them border jumping, and touting.
Other crimes include the use of fake immigration stamps, and fake travel documents that are synonymous with a surge in human traffic.
Assistant Regional Immigration Officer-in-charge Beitbridge, Mrs Canisia Magaya said they were working with other border agencies to minimise illegal activities at the border post.
She said during the same period under review a total of 591 people had been refused entry into South Africa and Zimbabwe due to various reason.
Among these were 538 Zimbabweans, 46 Malawians, two Tanzanians, two Congolese, one Ghanaian and two Kenyans.
“Some of the reasons for refusal of entry include not having visas, unpaid fines, being undocumented and being blacklisted as undesirable immigrants,” said Mrs Magaya.
“We are not relenting on our quest to maintain safety and security of travellers and ensuring we have a flawless flow of traffic this festive season.
“Our regional enforcement and compliance remains firm on the ground and between December 1 and January 7 we intercepted a total of 3 493 people for violating immigration laws and we handed them to the ZRP for further management.”
She said some of the irregular migrants were intercepted on the south African side of the border after finding their way through illegal crossing points dotted along the Limpopo River.
Mrs Magaya said the team was also descending hard on child smuggling cases and that during the festive period they prevented 61 minors from being illegal transported to South Africa.
These unaccompanied minors, have since been handed over to the Department of Social Development (DSD) for contact tracing and reunification with parents or guardians.
“We have deployed enough manpower and are targeting all known hotspots and areas,” said Mrs Magaya.
“At the same time, the department is urging travellers to continuously use the designated port of entry and exit for their own safety.”
Online Reporter
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