Blitz on illegal immigrants

Monday, 14 March 2011 02:00

Beitbridge Bureau Chief THE South African immigration departme-nt and police at Beitbridge Border Post have launched a blitz against Zimbabweans and citizens of other countries north of the Zambezi who attempt to enter that country without proper travel documents. Beitbridge residents and other conmen who ply their trade around the South African and Zimbabwean border were the hardest hit by the blitz. Over 60 conmen, wheeler-dealers and illegal immigrants were being denied entry into South Africa at the Foot and Mouth Control Centre on the South African side at the weekend. A heavy presence of police and immigration officers led by the border commander identified only as Colonel Radzilani were seen screening travellers at the point. A number of people were being turned away at the border for having not cleared their passports at the Zimbabwean side of the border, touting, facilitating illegal migration into South Africa and violating that country's immigration laws. A senior police officer on the South Afri-can border side who spoke on condition of anonymity said they wanted to restore order at the border post. "We don't want people milling around here for no good reason, the passage must be clear. "Some of these criminals are robbing innocent travellers at the Limpopo Bridge while others are causing unnecessary congestion at the border post. This must come to an end. We are staying put for ever," he said. The assistant regional immigration officer in charge of Southern region (Beitbridge), Mr Charles Gwede confirmed the development last Friday. He said those refused entry from South Africa were to be handed over to the Zimbabwean immigration authorities where they would be screened for prosecution. "They are actually screening touts, illegal immigrants and those who would be assisting people to illegally cross into South Africa. "Those rounded up will be handed over to us so that we screen them for contravening various sections of the immigration act. "Some will be fined for exit and entry by evasion, while others will be charged under the Protected Areas Act. "We are also tightening security on our side to ensure that we only allow bona-fide travellers passage into South Africa" he said. Off late there has been an increase of people loitering around the South Africa side of the border looking for invoices and receipts to claim their tax refunds from the South African revenue authority. Others will be looking for travellers without rebates so that they could facilitate their importation of goods into Zimbabwe. It is also understood that since South Africa introduced a system where Zimbabweans are only allowed 90 days per 12 calendar months some travellers have resorted to not stamping their passports on both sides of the border for fear of exhausting their 90 days. This development has resulted in South African authorities launch a blitz on such travellers. www.herald.co.zw