Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
AS tens of thousands of Zimbabweans continue returning home amid anti-migrant protests in parts of South Africa, security agencies have intensified nationwide operations to safeguard returnees while tightening surveillance against criminal elements seeking to exploit the movement of people.
Police say the heightened security measures are designed not only to ensure the safe passage of returnees from Beitbridge Border Post to their final destinations across the country, but also to prevent crimes such as gun and drug smuggling and the movement of fugitives under the guise of repatriation.
Government figures show that 56 473 Zimbabweans returned through Beitbridge Border Post between May 28 and June 30. Of these, 47 252 returned independently, while 9 221 were assisted through the Government’s evacuation programme.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said adequate personnel had been deployed at Beitbridge and across the country to maintain law and order as the influx of returnees continues.
In an interview, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said law enforcement agencies were fully prepared to protect returnees and ensure public safety.
“The ZRP is ready to ensure that peace continues to prevail in the country and also that returnees are secure from Beitbridge to any part of the country they will be destined for.
“We are also ensuring that transporters adhere to the country’s road regulations as they transport these returnees and also that their properties are secure as they travel. These returnees should also be alert and comply with the police who will be carrying out their duties,” he said.
Commissioner Nyathi also dismissed as false a viral social media video alleging that police officers were assaulting or targeting Zimbabweans returning from South Africa at Beitbridge Border Post.
“For the record, the video in question relates to a mining operation incident at Jumbo Mine in Mazowe sometime back. It has nothing to do with returning residents from South Africa or the situation at Beitbridge Border Post,” he said.
“The ZRP therefore dismisses as false and misleading social media claims alleging that police officers are conducting an operation targeting returning immigrants.
“Investigations have now been instituted to account for those who are peddling false information through abuse or misuse of social media platforms.”
Regional immigration officer for the Southern Region, Mr Joshua Chibundu, said authorities were effectively managing the increased movement of returnees through close coordination involving the Zimbabwe Embassy in South Africa, the South African Government and the Department of Civil Protection.
“The movement is coordinated. We are equal to the task and have enough manpower evenly deployed across shifts and counters,” he said.
Mr Chibundu said Beitbridge Border Post was also facilitating the transit of Malawian nationals returning home from South Africa.
He said all returnees were being profiled to enable Government to maintain accurate records, identify vulnerable cases and facilitate onward travel to their respective home districts.
Despite the increase in arrivals, he said normal border operations remained uninterrupted.
“Tourists, truck drivers and other travellers are still being cleared without unnecessary delays, while we give priority attention to returnees,” he said.
On the South African side, the Border Management Authority (BMA) said biometric profiling remained central to ensuring that repatriations were conducted in a secure, orderly and lawful manner.
Acting BMA Commissioner Major General David Chilembe said every person leaving South Africa through Beitbridge was being screened using fingerprint and facial recognition technology to verify identities, confirm immigration status and identify individuals wanted by law enforcement agencies.
“Biometric profiling at the point of exit is to ensure we do not mis-repatriate other nationals, including South Africans,” he said.
“It is also being used to ensure that crime fugitives of all nationalities do not escape under the guise of repatriation.”
Major General Chilembe said the BMA was working closely with South Africa’s National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), as well as officials from Zimbabwe and Malawi, to coordinate deportations, repatriations and normal cross-border movement.
“We are coordinating with our counterparts to verify lists, share information, and ensure a smooth and orderly process,” Major General Chilembe said.
“We are dealing with three processes that include deportation, repatriations and normal movement facilitation. So far, we have been able to carry out all these processes successfully,” he said.
Additional buses carrying returnees from different parts of South Africa are expected to arrive at Beitbridge in the coming days, with authorities saying personnel have been strategically deployed to maintain security and operational efficiency.
Major General Chilembe said the BMA processed 2 400 departures through Beitbridge on Wednesday alone, comprising 1 700 Malawians and 700 Zimbabweans.
“In addition, since we started here on June 7, when the President (Cyril Ramaphosa) announced the measures on migration, we have dealt with more than 35 000 people in terms of repatriations and deportations at this border,” he said.
He added that South Africa’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration would visit repatriation centres to assess operations and receive updates from officials.
“The goal is to ensure the process is humane, lawful and secure for all involved,” he said.
