Zanu-PF economic development cluster notes Zimbabwe, South African border management operational challenges

Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau

THE Zanu-PF Economic Development Cluster yesterday visited several illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River where Government is tightening screws against illegal activities.

These include border jumping and smuggling hence the fact finding mission seeks to establish the state of affairs with regards to the border management control.

This comes as Zimbabwe is losing thousands of dollars in customs revenue to smuggling syndicates operating between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Immigrants and smugglers use several illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River to enter the country.

The most common crossing points are Spillway, National Parks, Tshikwalakwala, Tshinyamupanza, Mai Maria, Dite, Panda Mine1 and Panda Mine 2, River Ranch, Musetshe, Shashe and Tshivhara.

Security details from Zimbabwe and South Africa often hold joint operations to maintain law and order on the border line where cases of rape, murder, robberies, smuggling, cross-border thefts and border jumping are rife.

Groceries, cement, furniture, banned genetically modified foods, illicit drugs and beer top the list of the goods finding their way into the country, while minerals and mainly stolen livestock, cigarettes are smuggled into South Africa via the same river.

Members of the Zanu-PF team include Retired Lieutenant General Engelbert Rugeje (Secretary of economic affairs, Cde Elifasi Mashaba (Secretary for business development, Cde Annastancia Ndlovu (director economic affairs department, Cde Collen Mharadzano (Director business development) and Cde

Francis Hungwe (director economic development and empowerment).

They were joined by members of the local security cluster that include senior immigration and customs officials and parliamentarians, Cdes Albert Nguluvhe (Beitbridge East), Thusani Ndou (Beitbridge West) and Senator Tambudzani Mohadi.

Cde Mashaba commended the efforts being made by Government in securing the border through curbing smuggling of goods and the irregular movement between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“We have heard several reports regarding border control issues at Beitbridge Border Post and the Limpopo River, which borders Zimbabwe and South Africa,” he said.

“So, we are here on a fact finding mission regarding the operations at the border and border line as directed by the party and President ED Mnangagwa.

“You will note that the ruling Zanu-PF forms the Government, which then implements our policies and we are tracking to see the state of affairs on the ground.

“It’s very important that the men and women charged with securing our borders are capacitated and there is proper coordination and team work hence we need to work together in ensuring that Zimra has the necessary support to collect revenue to fund various Government commitments.”

Cde Mashaba said the team had engagements with line stakeholders engaged in border management issues and that these were equal to the task despite having notable operational challenges.

He said the team will compile a report for tabling in the Politburo with recommendations on identified border management challenges noted during the two-day tour of the border and Limpopo River.

“We have come face-to-face with the situation on the ground during this tour and we are now going to give feedback to our principals,” he added.

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