News / National
Soldiers heighten patrols along South Africa-Zimbabwe border
30 Nov 2024 at 13:07hrs | Views
The South African Defence Forces (SADF) have ramped up security measures along the Malaladrift area, which borders Zimbabwe, as part of a heightened effort to curb cross-border smuggling and prevent illegal border crossings across the Limpopo River.
With the holiday season approaching, illegal activities, including smuggling and undocumented border jumping, tend to spike as many Zimbabwean nationals return home or seek opportunities in South Africa due to the struggling economy in Zimbabwe.
SADF spokesperson Major Shilangoma Mahlahlane confirmed that the military has intensified patrols in the area, covering a 55-kilometre radius. He explained that security forces were on high alert for smugglers and border jumpers.
"Our mandate is border safeguarding. We are covering a 55-kilometre radius of this area. There are hotspots where vehicles are crossing, hotspots where cigarettes and explosives are crossing," Mahlahlane said during an interview with the State broadcaster, SABC News.
He emphasized that the SADF's primary objective was to disrupt illicit activities and prevent illegal goods from entering or leaving South Africa.
"So our mandate, at all costs, is to disrupt these from taking place and stop whatever should not leave or come into South Africa illegally," he added.
Illegal syndicates, often referred to as "magumaguma," are known to facilitate these cross-border crimes. These gangs have become increasingly sophisticated, using vantage points to monitor SADF patrols, enabling them to sneak in and out of the neighbouring country undetected.
In some cases, these smugglers even use donkey-drawn scotch carts to transport contraband across the now dry Limpopo River. Despite increased vigilance, security at the Beitbridge Border Post remains a challenge, with many undocumented Zimbabweans still managing to find ways to enter and leave South Africa illegally.
While some of these individuals are seeking better economic opportunities in South Africa, others have turned to full-time smuggling, trafficking goods such as vehicles, drugs, cigarettes, fuel, and electrical appliances across the border.
The surge in illegal cross-border activities is causing concern for both South African authorities and Zimbabwean officials, as the border remains porous, and the demand for smuggled goods increases, particularly during peak holiday periods. Authorities are now focusing on enhancing both physical and technological surveillance to better monitor and control the situation.
As the festive season nears, security at the border remains a top priority for the South African Defence Forces as they continue their efforts to combat illegal border crossings and smuggling activities.
With the holiday season approaching, illegal activities, including smuggling and undocumented border jumping, tend to spike as many Zimbabwean nationals return home or seek opportunities in South Africa due to the struggling economy in Zimbabwe.
SADF spokesperson Major Shilangoma Mahlahlane confirmed that the military has intensified patrols in the area, covering a 55-kilometre radius. He explained that security forces were on high alert for smugglers and border jumpers.
"Our mandate is border safeguarding. We are covering a 55-kilometre radius of this area. There are hotspots where vehicles are crossing, hotspots where cigarettes and explosives are crossing," Mahlahlane said during an interview with the State broadcaster, SABC News.
He emphasized that the SADF's primary objective was to disrupt illicit activities and prevent illegal goods from entering or leaving South Africa.
"So our mandate, at all costs, is to disrupt these from taking place and stop whatever should not leave or come into South Africa illegally," he added.
Illegal syndicates, often referred to as "magumaguma," are known to facilitate these cross-border crimes. These gangs have become increasingly sophisticated, using vantage points to monitor SADF patrols, enabling them to sneak in and out of the neighbouring country undetected.
In some cases, these smugglers even use donkey-drawn scotch carts to transport contraband across the now dry Limpopo River. Despite increased vigilance, security at the Beitbridge Border Post remains a challenge, with many undocumented Zimbabweans still managing to find ways to enter and leave South Africa illegally.
While some of these individuals are seeking better economic opportunities in South Africa, others have turned to full-time smuggling, trafficking goods such as vehicles, drugs, cigarettes, fuel, and electrical appliances across the border.
The surge in illegal cross-border activities is causing concern for both South African authorities and Zimbabwean officials, as the border remains porous, and the demand for smuggled goods increases, particularly during peak holiday periods. Authorities are now focusing on enhancing both physical and technological surveillance to better monitor and control the situation.
As the festive season nears, security at the border remains a top priority for the South African Defence Forces as they continue their efforts to combat illegal border crossings and smuggling activities.
Source - newzimbabwe
