More than 600 Zimbabweans are reported to have been arrested over the weekend for trying to illegally get into South Africa.
Speaking on the arrests, National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they tightened security at the border and are not relenting on the quest to uphold the law at the border.
“On Sunday alone we arrested 632 people under the ongoing operation ‘ No to Cross border Crimes- Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanuni Yamashango-Mhosva Pamuganhu Ngadzipere-Amacala Kawaphele Yelizwe”
The state media reports that between December 10 and December 31 last year, 13 387 were arrested for border jumping and smuggling-related cases.
Pictures of hundreds of Zimbabweans detained by soldiers and police personnel at the Beitbridge border post have since started to circulate on social media.
This comes at a time when Zimbabwe and South Africa have tightened security along the Limpopo border to thwart illegal activities.
South Africa has since set up massive roadblocks in preparation for the mass deportation of undocumented Zimbabweans.
The Department of Home Affairs, SAPS and SADF have set up roadblocks between Hammanskraal and Kranshop.
Speaking during an interview yesterday, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi revealed that undocumented Zimbabwean nationals trying to access the country by jumping the border fence are being deported back to Zimbabwe. He said they have already caught more than 170 undocumented Zimbabweans.
Motsoaledi revealed that besides the Musina roadblock and the roadblocks between Hammanskraal and Kranshop, there are two other roadblocks at Baobab and Mantsole.
