Story by Aifheli Mudau
ZIMBABWE and South Africa have intensified joint security operations at Beitbridge Border Post, maintaining law and order as thousands of Zimbabwean nationals continue returning home through the country’s busiest port of entry.
Authorities say increased police deployments and close collaboration between the two countries have ensured the repatriation exercise continues without major security incidents, while residents have also commended the peaceful environment in the border town.
“We are happy that the police are trying their best in protecting us as a community. Some of these people who may find themselves on the wrong side of the law are because of some situation, but the good part of it is that churches and community members have come in to assist these repatriates,” resident Mrs Moise Moyo said.
Chairperson of the Beitbridge Residents Association, Mr Lawrence Tshili said cooperation between residents and law enforcement agencies has helped maintain order.
“We are working well with the police to ensure our town remains a crime-free area. Since these repatriations started, we have not witnessed any problem concerning crime in our town and we believe that as we continue working together with the police, we will make this town a crime-free zone,” he noted.
South African Police Service Limpopo Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Jan Scheepers said security forces remain on high alert across the province.
“We have boots on the ground across all policing areas and we are closely monitoring the situation… We have adopted a zero-tolerance approach. We will not allow anyone, whether South African citizens or undocumented migrants, to take the law into their own hands.”
He also urged the public to refrain from spreading false information on social media.
Acting Officer Commanding Beitbridge District, Superintendent Philisani Ndebele said police had strengthened deployments ahead of the influx of returnees.
“We anticipated the increased movement of people from South Africa and have deployed adequate personnel throughout the town. We are working closely with all stakeholders, including bus operators, to ensure the border town remains crime-free… So far, everything remains orderly.”
Government continues to mobilise resources to support the repatriation exercise, with security agencies from both Zimbabwe and South Africa working together to facilitate a safe and orderly return process.
