HARARE – The Zimbabwean government has announced a cocktail of measures meant to tighten border security to ensure foreign nationals fleeing anti-foreigner violence in South Africa do not remain in Zimbabwe while transiting to their home countries.
By Advent Shoko
The measures come amid growing concern over renewed attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa, with authorities seeking to prevent displaced migrants from settling illegally in Zimbabwe while facilitating the lawful transit of genuine repatriates.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana said government has activated a comprehensive multi-agency operational plan to monitor the entire repatriation process.
Tight Screening at Beitbridge
All repatriates entering through Beitbridge Border Post are being subjected to rigorous screening and vetting. State-assisted migrants travel with passenger manifests for easier verification, while those travelling independently undergo equally strict checks to ensure only legitimate transit migrants enter the country.
Multi-Agency Monitoring
A task force comprising the Department of Immigration, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and other security agencies has been deployed to monitor and manage the movement of both documented and undocumented migrants.
Roadblocks and Transit Surveillance
Authorities have set up roadblocks along major highways from Beitbridge to exit points including Nyamapanda, Chirundu and Forbes to ensure transit migrants continue their journeys and do not remain in Zimbabwe.
Monitoring has also been intensified at major drop-off points in Harare, including Roadport, Mbare Musika, High Glen and Chitungwiza, as well as other intelligence-identified locations, to detect any irregular movement of migrants.
At exit border posts, immigration officials are reconciling passenger manifests with Beitbridge records to account for every transit migrant and ensure no one disappears from the official system.
Government said small groups of self-funded migrants awaiting money from relatives are under close watch, with bus operators and embassies assisting them to complete their journeys.
Security teams are also conducting random checks at points where Zimbabwean returnees are dropped off to prevent undocumented foreign nationals from infiltrating the official repatriation process.
Authorities said anyone found to be in Zimbabwe illegally and not qualifying as a transit repatriate will be dealt with in terms of the country’s immigration laws, while government remains mindful of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in South Africa.
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