News / National
7 000 border jumpers nabbed
30 Dec 2010 at 19:52hrs | Views
POLICE in Beitbridge have between 15 December and Monday arrested more than 7 000 suspected border jumpers and scores of others linked to other crimes, raking in more than US$80 000 in fines.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe said yesterday the arrests were made during an on-going festive period anti-crime operation.
The operation, launched two weeks ago, mainly targets touts operating at the border, highway armed robbers, reckless drivers, prostitutes and public beer drinkers.
Although the South African government has made it clear that it would deport Zimbabweans after tomorrow's deadline for locals living in the neighbouring country illegally to register for legal documents to regularise their stay, many people still flock there.
"As police we are out in full force to deal with criminal elements during the festive season and so far we have arrested a total of 8 005 suspects, a majority of which are illegal immigrants who were 7 139 in number.
"In fact, we have mobilised enough resources and manpower to deal with criminals during the festive season," he said.
Despite the dangers of being attacked by armed robbers, scores of border jumpers continue to use undesignated entry points in bushy areas along the crocodile-infested Limpopo River, to cross into South Africa.
On Christmas Day, a Kadoma woman who intended to illegally cross into South Africa through an undesignated entry point was robbed of R300 before she was gang-raped by four unknown men.
The suspects had approached the woman on the pretext that they wanted to assist her illegally cross the border.
Police also impounded five vehicles for various traffic offences and 223 motorists who included those driving unregistered vehicles without road permits, driving without licences and those whose cars were
unroadworthy.
Insp Dzirutwe said they also deployed police officers along the Beitbridge-Bulawayo and Beitbridge-Masvingo roads following an increase in the number of highway armed robberies.
"As police we would like to urge members of the public to continue assisting us with information that could lead to more arrests of those involved in criminal activities during the festive season," he said.
Insp Dzirutwe said the suspects would appear in court soon.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe said yesterday the arrests were made during an on-going festive period anti-crime operation.
The operation, launched two weeks ago, mainly targets touts operating at the border, highway armed robbers, reckless drivers, prostitutes and public beer drinkers.
Although the South African government has made it clear that it would deport Zimbabweans after tomorrow's deadline for locals living in the neighbouring country illegally to register for legal documents to regularise their stay, many people still flock there.
"As police we are out in full force to deal with criminal elements during the festive season and so far we have arrested a total of 8 005 suspects, a majority of which are illegal immigrants who were 7 139 in number.
"In fact, we have mobilised enough resources and manpower to deal with criminals during the festive season," he said.
On Christmas Day, a Kadoma woman who intended to illegally cross into South Africa through an undesignated entry point was robbed of R300 before she was gang-raped by four unknown men.
The suspects had approached the woman on the pretext that they wanted to assist her illegally cross the border.
Police also impounded five vehicles for various traffic offences and 223 motorists who included those driving unregistered vehicles without road permits, driving without licences and those whose cars were
unroadworthy.
Insp Dzirutwe said they also deployed police officers along the Beitbridge-Bulawayo and Beitbridge-Masvingo roads following an increase in the number of highway armed robberies.
"As police we would like to urge members of the public to continue assisting us with information that could lead to more arrests of those involved in criminal activities during the festive season," he said.
Insp Dzirutwe said the suspects would appear in court soon.
Source - www.chronicle.co.zw
