Beitbridge border clears 437,000 travellers, arrests 3,640

Beitbridge Border Post, Zimbabwe's busiest port of entry, recorded the passage of more than 437,000 travellers during December, while immigration authorities arrested 3,640 people for violating border laws.

According to figures from the Department of Immigration, the total comprised 263,575 arrivals and 173,797 departures, reflecting heightened human traffic over the festive season. Offences ranged from border jumping and touting to using fake immigration stamps and forged travel documents.

In addition, 27 travellers from countries including Nigeria, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Ghana, Egypt, Mozambique, Malawi, Burundi and Congo-Brazzaville were denied entry for failing to meet visa requirements.

Assistant Regional Immigration Officer-in-Charge for Beitbridge, Ms Canisia Magaya, said authorities had deployed adequate manpower to ensure smooth traffic flow while enforcing compliance.

"We intercepted 3,640 travellers for violating immigration laws and refused entry to 27 others for reasons such as lack of valid visas," Ms Magaya said. She urged travellers to plan their journeys carefully and travel during off-peak hours to avoid congestion.

Zimbabwe and South Africa are implementing a harmonised traffic flow system, which ran from December 15 to January 10, aimed at reducing waiting times at the border. At peak festive periods, the border handled an average of 18,300 people, 1,300 light vehicles, 1,000 commercial trucks, and 250 buses daily, with departures to South Africa forming the bulk of traffic.

Ms Magaya said the Department of Immigration remains committed to safeguarding travellers and ensuring efficient border operations throughout the festive season.

On the South African side, Border Management Authority Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato led senior officials at Beitbridge to improve operational efficiency as part of the 2025/2026 Festive Season Security Plan.

Beitbridge continues to serve as a major transit point for travellers from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Angola, the DRC, Botswana, Tanzania and Mozambique, particularly those based in South Africa.