South Africa police tighter border security reduce...

South Africa police tighter border security reduces transnational crime

Zim Now Writer

The South African government says its “Operation Vala Umgodi” to reduce crime at the border and is bearing fruit as smugglers and other criminals are being apprehended with nine Zimbabwean men arrested for illegal migration.

South Africa Police Service Limpopo spokesperson Colonel Malasela Ledwaba said the nine men were arrested less than 10 kilometres from Beitbridge Border Post by Vhembe District Proactive Police for contravening he country’s Immigration Act.

Col Ledwaba said the Department of Home Affairs’ Immigration Office was engaged for immediate deportation of the illegal immigrants while other cases were dealt with appropriately.

“A successful operation conducted by the Border Police team at Musina in the Vhembe District near the Beitbridge Port of Entry on Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, has resulted in the seizure of counterfeit goods and the recovery of an inflatable boat believed to be used for illegal crossings of the Limpopo River between Zimbabwe and South Africa,” said Col Ledwaba.

He said the operation has seen other suspects apprehended beyond Limpopo.

“During the operation, members of the SAPS OR Tambo International Airport Border Police intercepted a smuggling attempt and seized one inflatable boat, 25 litres of diesel, counterfeit cigarettes, and liquor that were being smuggled between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

He said while some suspects managed to evade arrest by fleeing on foot and crossing the Limpopo River the police dismantled some homemade wooden bridges used for illegal crossings.