Zimbabwe govt installing CCTVs at all border posts to curb corruption

Government is installing CCTVs at all the country's official entry points to curb corruption by immigration officers, with Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo saying fraud was rampant at Beitbridge Border Post.

Addressing immigration officers at the Harare International Airport yesterday, Dr Chombo called for an end to corruption to promote economic development.

Minister Chombo is moving around the country meeting immigration officials and taking note of their challenges.

"Government has a huge zeal to fight corruption at national points of entry and installations of gadgets, including CCTVs, started yesterday and I'm sure that will help us deal with the negative elements of corruption in our systems," he said.

"We are also moving in to install state-of-the-art scanners and check-point devices and as we speak, I hear that the installations at Harare International Airport have already begun, which is a system that we will take to all points of entry in the country to reduce fraud cases."

Minister Chombo urged immigration officers to desist from corrupt activities.

"I want to urge you all to see the need to fight corruption because as persons who collect revenue, we want each and every one of you to account for that revenue and make sure that the State benefits largely from it," he said.

"The nation needs that revenue and we will not let it go to waste through your corrupt activities. I commend management for firing a number of people that have been directly or indirectly linked with issues of corruption."

Minister Chombo said a crackdown at Beitbridge Border Post was the best solution in curbing rampant corruption.

"Reports have come to us that Beitbridge is heavily infested with very corrupt officers and corrupt cases are on the rise and the ministry is moving in to ensure that the case is completely dealt with," he said.

"We will also visit the border post (Beitbridge) to ensure that we put in place tough measures that will ensure that corruption amongst immigration officers is stopped."

Minister Chombo said Government would urgently deal with the grievances raised by immigration officers.

"Your grievances will be addressed as Government is prepared to work on improving the efficiency of services," he said.

"We will work on the internal system difficulties raised by immigration officers today and we will work tirelessly to address that situation as we also want the issue of transport to be addressed so that safe transport can be provided to our officers during late shifts."

Minister Chombo said Government was working on modalities to provide decent housing facilities for immigration officers across the country.