Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe and South Africa have reinforced their joint commitment to combat cross-border crime, with renewed focus on human trafficking and child smuggling.
This follows the conclusion of a high-level bilateral police meeting held in Harare recently.
The two-day engagement brought together Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba and South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola, alongside Deputy Commissioner-General Learn Ncube and senior officers from both countries.
Confirming the outcome of the meeting, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said several resolutions were adopted to strengthen co-operation in tackling transnational crimes.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police–South Africa Police Service bilateral meeting has concluded in Harare with several resolutions in the fight against crime,” said Comm Nyathi.
“The two delegations were led by their respective police chiefs during what was a highly fruitful two-day engagement. The SAPS delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe, at his Mukwati Building offices.”
Law enforcement agencies have also deployed advanced methods such as drone surveillance, vehicle checkpoints, and ambushes along known smuggling routes, with the overarching goal of dismantling criminal networks and protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly children.
Zimbabwean and South African security authorities have, in recent years, intensified joint operations along the shared border to address crimes including smuggling, illegal migration, vehicle theft, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
Operations have largely focused on the Beitbridge–Musina corridor, targeting both official ports of entry and illegal crossing points. Intelligence-driven strategies have led to arrests and the seizure of stolen vehicles, illicit cigarettes, drugs, and other contraband.
Between 2024 and 2025, authorities recorded notable successes, including the interception of numerous stolen vehicles, arrests of Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals linked to car-theft syndicates, seizure of large quantities of mbanje (cannabis) and illicit cough syrup, and the interception of illegal migrants.
Law enforcement agencies have also deployed advanced methods such as drone surveillance, vehicle checkpoints, and ambushes along known smuggling routes, with the overarching goal of dismantling criminal networks and protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly children.
Concerns around child smuggling have intensified following the recent interception of undocumented minors at the Beitbridge Port of Entry.
Last week, South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) and the Department of Social Development (DSD) initiated urgent structured engagements with their Zimbabwean counterparts after 33 undocumented children were intercepted at the border.
A week earlier, another group of about 20 children had been stopped while attempting to cross illegally.
BMA Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, said the latest group, aged between four and 15, was intercepted during routine and intelligence-driven operations.
The children were travelling in a Zimbabwe-registered omnibus without proper documentation and were not accompanied by their biological parents or legal guardians.
“All the children were immediately handed over to the Department of Social Development for further processing in line with child-protection protocols,” Dr Masiapato said.
According to a joint statement issued by the DSD and BMA, preliminary investigations suggest the movement of the children may be linked to organised facilitation networks exploiting minors through irregular cross-border activities.
Two Zimbabweans were arrested for allegedly facilitating the illegal movement of the children and are expected to face charges under South Africa’s Immigration Act, while investigations continue to determine possible links to broader human trafficking syndicates operating along the border.
