The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has announced that 45 146 people were arrested across the country since January 2021 for various cross border crimes.
Police posted on Twitter saying they arrested 140 people in August for illegal border crossing in Beitbridge, Mukumbura and Nyamapanda while two others were arrested for smuggling at the Plumtree Border Post. Read the tweet:
On August police arrested 140 people for illegal border crossing in Beitbridge, Mukumbura and Nyamapanda. Meanwhile, two people were arrested for smuggling at the same day at Plumtree Border Post. Police recovered assorted electrical gadgets, building materials and groceries approximately valued at 24 760 pula. The Police have arrested 45 146 people across the country since January 2021 for various cross border crimes.
Police in January launched operation “no to cross border crimes/mhosva pamiganhu ngadzipere/ amacala kawaphele emingceleni elizwe” in a bid to curb criminal activities occurring at the borders.
The country has seen an upsurge of cross border crimes during the Covid-19 period with some attributing the increase to the closure of land borders.
With borders closed for the general public, some people have resorted to smuggling goods and border jumping.
Meanwhile, cross border traders have appealed to the government for the reopening of borders to fully vaccinated traders so that they can resume their business.
More: The Chronicle