Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
IMMIGRATION authorities at Beitbridge Border Post cleared more than 437 000 travellers and arrested 3 640 people for violating immigration laws during the festive season in December, as authorities intensified efforts to curb illegal activities at the country’s busiest port of entry.
Figures from the Department of Immigration show that 437 372 travellers passed through the border post last month, comprising 263 575 arrivals and 173 797 departures, amid heightened human traffic linked to the festive period.
During the same period, 3 640 people were arrested for illegally accessing the border post, with offences ranging from border jumping and touting to the use of fake immigration stamps and forged travel documents.
In addition, 27 travellers from countries including Nigeria, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Ghana, Egypt, Mozambique, Malawi, Burundi and Congo-Brazzaville were denied entry into Zimbabwe for failing to meet visa requirements.
The arrests were made as part of an ongoing blitz involving the Department of Immigration’s Regional Compliance and Enforcement Unit working alongside other border agencies to maintain security and order during peak travel periods.
Assistant Regional Immigration Officer-in-Charge for Beitbridge, Ms Canisia Magaya, said authorities had deployed adequate manpower to ensure smooth traffic flow while enforcing compliance with immigration laws.
“We have started witnessing a surge in southbound traffic, although movement remains relatively sparse. In December alone, we intercepted 3 640 travellers on either side of the border for violating immigration laws and refused entry to 27 others for various reasons, including lack of valid visas,” said Ms Magaya.
She said the department remains firm in its commitment to safeguarding travellers and ensuring efficient border operations throughout the festive season.
Ms Magaya also urged travellers to plan their journeys carefully and consider travelling during off-peak hours — early mornings or late evenings — to avoid congestion.
“We encourage travellers to monitor official updates and adhere to border procedures. Traffic volumes are currently low, although there has been a noticeable increase on the exit side,” she said.
Zimbabwe and South Africa are implementing a harmonised traffic flow system, which began on December 15 and will run until January 10, aimed at reducing waiting times on both sides of the border.
On the South African side, Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato is leading a team of senior officials at Beitbridge, overseeing operations to improve efficiency during the festive rush, particularly between New Year’s Day and January 5.
At the peak of the festive season, the border handled an average of 18 300 people, 1 300 light vehicles, 1 000 commercial trucks and 250 buses daily, with the majority being departures from South Africa.
Beitbridge continues to serve as a major transit point for travellers from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Angola, the DRC, Botswana, Tanzania and Mozambique, especially those based in South Africa.
Meanwhile, travellers who went to South Africa for the holidays are expected to begin their return journeys through Beitbridge from this weekend.
In a statement, BMA spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Mmemme Mogotsi said the oversight visits form part of the 2025/2026 Festive Season Security Plan, launched on December 7, which focuses on strengthened multi-layered security to ensure safe, efficient and co-ordinated border management.
