Drones help South Africa capture 25 Zimbabwean border jumpers

Twenty-five people were arrested after attempting to cross illegally from Zimbabwe into South Africa at the Beitbridge Port of Entry in Limpopo, authorities have confirmed.

The Border Management Authority (BMA) said the arrests were part of ongoing operations to curb illegal border movements. Commissioner Michael Masiapato explained that the suspects were detected using drone surveillance while crossing the Limpopo River with the assistance of facilitators using a boat.

"We were able to see them as they were crossing the Limpopo River, being assisted by some facilitators through a boat, and they entered into no man's land. Immediately when they entered South African soil, we were able to bust them, and we effectively got them arrested," Masiapato said.

He added that the BMA monitors movements along the river and intervenes once individuals exit "no man's land" and enter South African territory. "These people are not even aware that we are monitoring them. They think they are now in, but effectively, they are going to be intercepted, brought into the port, and we are going to process them for deportation," he said.

The BMA emphasized that such operations are part of its broader strategy to strengthen border security and prevent unauthorized entries.