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Motorists queue at the Beitbridge Border Post as they wait for clearance yesterday

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Police have arrested more than 1 600 people at the Beitbridge Border Post in an on-going operation to restore sanity at one of the busiest inland ports in the SADC region.

Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the developments last week. She said 67 people were arrested for touting, 100 for loitering and 1 500 for illegal immigration (inclusive of those entering or leaving the country).

“These were arrested between December 4 and 10 in an ongoing operation. We have noticed that there are people who want to take advantage of the festive season and do as they please in the border.

“As police, we won’t stand and watch while giving the criminals a free rein. The border clean-up exercise is continuous, until people start abiding by the laws of the land,” she said. She said some of the suspects will be sent to court for prosecution. Asst Insp Mangena warned members of the public to avoid engaging third parties and dealers within the border, who in most cases dupe them.

“We will not rest until the border is clean. Let those engaged or planning to execute criminal activities in that border be warned that their days are numbered,” said Asst Insp Mangena. In a related incident, South Africa’s Department of Immigration intercepted a vehicle that was transporting 16 undocumented children to that country.

Sources at the border said the immigrants were aged between four and 17 years. “The driver of the South African registered Toyota Hilux is still detained on that country’s side of the border,” said a border official.