Emergency Food Security and Vulnerable Livelihoods Officer (Harare)

Emergency Food Security and Vulnerable Livelihoods Assistants (Harare)

Driver (Harare)

Data Capturer (Harare)

Support Engineer (Harare)

Accounts Clerk (Harare)

Human Resources Administrator

Human Resources Business Partner - CBZ Bank (Harare)

Managed Care Officer (Bulawayo)

Drivers (Harare)

Security Guards (Harare)

Graduate Trainee: Monitoring and Evaluation (Harare)

Graduate Trainee: Public Affairs, Media and Marketing (Harare)

Graduate Trainee:  Agriculture (Harare)

Embroidery Machine Operator (Harare)

Insurance Consultant

Procurement Officer (Harare)

Electronics Technician (Harare)

Transport Manager (Bulawayo)

Trainee Sales Executive (Harare)

Technical Director (Harare)

Financial Management and Operations Director (Harare)

Data Analyst (Harare)

Field Security Associate (Harare)

Concrete Plant Technician

Technician/Senior Technician

Laboratory Assistant

Project Officer

Drivers x4

Grants and Compliance Manager (Harare)

Accountants x2 (Harare)

Forty-one undocumented Zimbabweans were arrested in South Africa for illegal chrome mining.
In a statement, police spokesman Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the suspects will appear before the Mecklenburg Magistrate’s Court this Thursday. Said Ledwaba:
<blockquote>
The suspects were apprehended during a joint intelligence operation conducted by the members of the Provincial Illegal Mining Task Team, Provincial Organised Crime Unit together with the RR Undercover Security Company at Ga-Phasha village under Sefateng mine jurisdiction in Mecklenburg policing precinct at about 23:30.
Police received information about illegal mining activities taking place in the area and swiftly reacted. Upon arrival, police found the suspects busy mining a precious metal (chrome) at the mine without authorisation.
When the suspects saw police, they ran into the nearby bushes and others went inside the self-made tunnels to avoid being nabbed.
Police confiscated 12 generators and 10 jackhammers all valued at R170 000 as well as chrome ore worth R1 million from the suspects.
</blockquote>
Ledwaba said the suspects are all male and aged between 18 and 43. 41 are undocumented Zimbabweans, one is a Mozambican national and there is also a South African citizen.
Ledwaba vowed that South African police will stop at nothing in ensuring that illegal miners are arrested and prosecuted.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

41 Zimbabwean Border Jumpers Arrested In SA For Illegal Chrome Mining

A 22-seater bus travelling from Zimbabwe to Cape Town, South Africa, was intercepted on N1 in South Africa while carrying 36 undocumented Zimbabwean passengers.
Transport spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene said the bus was stopped at around 8 AM last Friday morning along the N1 on the Mashishing and Silicone bypass. Said Chuene in a statement:
<blockquote>
It was later discovered that the overloaded vehicle did not have an operating permit to travel in South Africa and the SAPS and Department of Home Affairs will conduct investigations and verification of the legal travelling documents.
… We call on all foreign drivers to respect the laws of the country and apply for proper documents when entering the country.
</blockquote>
South Africa is currently on a blitz against undocumented immigrants and in the coming months, the neighbouring country is expected to deport thousands of Zimbabweans whose permits were not renewed.

22-seater Zimbabwean Kombi With 32 Undocumented Passengers Impounded In SA

An Ethiopian illegal immigrant in transit to South Africa was reportedly left for dead by his colleagues in Zimbabwe after a car accident.
Tsegaye Summu (28), travelled with others in September and while in Zvishavane, a mining town in Midlands Province, a kombi they had hired was involved in an accident.
The other passengers reportedly escaped unhurt and had to look for alternative transport to proceed with their journey and left Summu by the roadside unconscious.
Summu was taken to Zvishavane Hospital under police guard and later moved to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for better care.
On Friday last week, he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Busani Sibanda charged with entering Zimbabwe without a valid permit.
However, the state couldn’t establish on which date and through which port of entry Summu entered the country.
Summu was fined and awaits deportation from Zimbabwe. | <a href="https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/ethiopian-man-in-transit-to-sa-bust-in-zimbabwe-after-being-left-for-dead-in-road-accident-20230115">News24</a>

Ethiopian Border Jumper In Car Accident Left For Dead In Zimbabwe

Eighty-four (84) Malawian immigrants are languishing in Zimbabwean prisons after they were arrested for travelling without requisite documents.
It is believed that the majority of the immigrants had no intention of staying in Zimbabwe but were travelling to South Africa.
Malawi’s deputy ambassador to Zimbabwe Elias Mpaso confirmed that scores of Malawians are detained in Zimbabwean prisons saying the embassy was making efforts to repatriate them. He said:
<blockquote>
Last Friday we had 84 Malawian nationals in Zimbabwean jails. There are 66 males at Harare Remand Prison and 18 females at Chikurubi. These people were arrested in different parts of Zimbabwe.
However, the government is trying its best to repatriate them, we are still waiting for the Foreign Affairs Department to officially inform us. We are also sourcing funds from Malawi for their repatriation.
In Malawi, the repatriation process is done in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Food Disaster Management to take our citizens back to Malawi.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe does not have holding facilities for immigrants awaiting deportation and as a result, border jumpers are imprisoned.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) said it is a violation of the immigrants’ human rights to put them in prisons together with convicted criminals. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200002578/84-malawian-migrants-languish-in-zim-prisons">NewsDay</a>

84 Malawian Border Jumpers Languish In Zim Prisons

A Three Star Coaches bus driver and conductor accused of facilitating the illegal entry of 21 Malawian citizens into the country have been convicted of contravening the Immigration Act.
Kudakwashe Samukange and Tafengenyasha both pleaded guilty when they appeared before Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda.
Allegations were that on 4 September 2022, Samukange and Tafengenyasha picked up 21 Malawian nationals in Blantyre.
Along the way, the duo gave their Malawian passengers passports bearing other people’s names to ensure their entry into Zimbabwe.
Upon arrival at Nyamapanda Border Post, Immigration officials denied the Malawians entry into Zimbabwe.
However, Samukange and Tafengenyasha advised the 21 Malawian nationals to use an illegal entry point.
The duo later picked up the Malawians after the border crossing, on the Zimbabwean side.
Acting on a tip-off, police officers from Highlands Police Station in Harare mounted a roadblock at Shamva tollgate.
When the bus was stopped by the police officers, the passengers produced passports bearing other people’s names, leading to their arrest.
Samukange and Tafengenyasha were set to be sentenced on 8 September 2022. | <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/human-smugglers-bus-crew-convicted-of-trafficking-21-malawians/">H-Metro</a>

Zimbabwean Bus Crew In Court For Trafficking 21 Malawians

One hundred and forty-eight (148) Malawian nationals were each sentenced to between four and six months in prison while awaiting deportation by Chivhu and Mvuma magistrates respectively after they sneaked into Zimbabwe without travel documents.
65 of the travellers were intercepted by Police in Chivhu while 83 were arrested in Mvuma.
Chivhu Magistrate Henry Sande sentenced the group of 65 to four months imprisonment wholly suspended pending deportation.
Prosecutors told the court that on Monday, police officers manning a roadblock at the 141-kilometre peg along Harare-Masvingo Road intercepted 65 Malawians travelling by road.
The foreign nationals were aboard two buses; Boundary with registration number AFQ 5485 and Sarge with registration number JF24GLGP.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers discovered that there were 55 passengers on the Sarge bus and 11 passengers on the other bus.
All 65 passengers were travelling with no valid documents permitting them to enter or remain in Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, 83 Malawians who were intercepted at the 188-kilometre peg along Chivhu–Masvingo road appeared at the Mvuma Magistrates Court, for a similar offence.
The group was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment wholly suspended pending deportation.
More: <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/148-malawians-nabbed-without-travelling-documents/">The Mirror</a>

148 Malawians Jailed For Sneaking Into Zimbabwe, Await Deportation

One hundred and fifty-four (154) illegal immigrants are currently being held at the Harare Remand Prison.
This came out when Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs toured Harare prisons recently.
Officer Commanding Harare Remand Prison Chief Superintendent Charles Nyamasoka told the Committee that one illegal immigrant had spent close to a decade in remand custody without a resolution to his case. He said:
<blockquote>
Of the 1 485 inmates we have, 154 are prohibited immigrants with some having overstayed.
</blockquote>
Some of the immigrants are from countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
<figure class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 675px"><img alt="Image" decoding="async" height="900" loading="lazy" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FUrjblMaMAEb4Q3?format=jpg&amp;name=900x900" width="675"/><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Inside a Zimbabwean prison (Image shared on Twitter by journalist Hopewell Chin’ono)</figcaption></figure>
Harare Remand Prison has a holding capacity of 900, but at present has 1 485 inmates.
People kept in remand prison are suspected criminals who have not been convicted of a crime, but are kept in the prison awaiting trial.
In the case of illegal immigrants, they are kept in custody for trial or resolution of their case and have been refused bail.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/154-foreign-nationals-in-remand/">The Herald</a></h4>

154 Foreign Nationals At Harare Remand Prison

Zimbabwe is set to deport six Kenyan nationals who were arrested in Beitbridge last month for entering the country illegally.
The Kenyans were arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post on 27 May at around 2 AM as they entered Zimbabwe.
They were coming from South Africa and were travelling by road in transit to Kenya.
The six Kenyan border jumpers are Musa Abdullahi Hussein (44), Mohamed Abdille (43), Ali Mohamed Abdi (37), Hussein Harun Bullo (34), Muhamed Abdirahman Issack (34) and Ibrahimbashir Durow (34).
They were arrested at a security checkpoint as they left the border after it was discovered that they had fake Zimbabwean immigration date stamps.
The police found out that their travel documents had an immigration date stamp that didn’t exist and they implicated a bogus immigration officer.
The six appeared before Beitbridge magistrate Annia Chimweta on Monday charged with violating the Immigration Act.
They were convicted and cautioned against repeating the same offence.
Prosecutor Esnath Vengedza told the magistrate court that on arrival at the Beitbridge border, the Kenyans engaged the services of a bogus immigration officer, who stamped two passports and travel documents and charged them for his “services”.
The six Kenyans are still in custody pending deportation.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/rest-of-africa/zimbabwe-arrests-six-kenyans-over-illegal-entry-3833174">The East African</a></h4>

Six Kenyan Border Jumpers Await Deportation

Ten (10) Zimbabwean nationals have been sentenced to two years in prison by a South African court for illegal mining activities in the Giyani area under Limpopo province.
The gang was arrested in South Africa by the Hawks on 14 May last year after the elite police unit received information about people who were en route from Phalaborwa to Giyani to sell gold.
The Hawks intercepted the vehicle near the Giyani shopping complex and upon searching the vehicle, the police found unwrought gold, pastel, scale, and mine detectors worth over R900 000 as well as R3800 cash.
The jailed are Mpathise Tshuma (29), Decent Ngwenya (22), Lamulani Sibanda (31), Skhumbuzo Mkandla (21), Ocean Mpofu (28), Prince Ndlovu (27), Brandon Nyoni (22), Clive Moyo (29), Tawanda Ndebele (33) and Philani Ndlovu (33).
Hawks’ spokesperson for Limpopo, Captain Matimba Maluleke said the Zimbabwean nationals were also found guilty of violating that country’s immigration laws. Said Maluleke:
<blockquote>
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation would like to welcome the sentencing of ten (10) unlawful gold dealers by the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on Friday (1 April 2022.
The accused persons who are all Zimbabwean nationals were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation members assisted by Giyani Police and Local Criminal Record Centre members on 14 May 2021.
… The accused appeared several times in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court and subsequently pleaded guilty to the charges.
The court sentenced them to two (2) years imprisonment for contravention of the Precious Metal Act of which one year is suspended and six months imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/10-zimbabweans-jailed-for-illegal-mining-in-sa/">Chronicle</a></h4>

10 Zimbabwean Border Jumpers Jailed For Illegal Mining In SA

Five Zimbabwean border jumpers have been sentenced to a one-year jail term each for irregular entry.
They were also being accused of illegally panning for gold in Francistown, Botswana but the court acquitted them of the charge due to lack of evidence.
Msix Moyo (42), Phumulani Moyo (27), Peter Moyo (23), Attiwel Ndlovu (23) and a 17-year-old juvenile denied the illegal mining charge when they appeared before Francistown chief magistrate Mareledi Dipate.
They, however, admitted to the charge of irregular entry into the neighbouring country.
In mitigation of the irregular entry charge, Phumulani and Peter pleaded with the court not to hand them a custodial sentence.
Notwithstanding, the magistrate sentenced them to one year in prison backdated to the time they were incarcerated following their arrest on November 15, 
2021.
The court heard that the Botswana Defence Forces arrested the five on November 15 last year while they were allegedly panning for gold at Old Matsiloje Mine.
They were handed over to the police and were found with two bags full of stones suspected to be gold ore.
After probing, the police discovered that they were illegal immigrants who entered the country through the Ramokgwebana Border Post without documents.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/02/botswana-court-jails-5-zimbos-for-illegal-entry/">NewsDay Zimbabwe</a>

Five Zimbabweans Jailed In Botswana Over Illegal Entry

South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor said that the country is working on restructuring its immigration laws.
This comes after South Africa discontinued the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) towards the end of 2021.
The special permits that were granted to about 200 000 Zimbabwean nationals allowing them to live and work in the neighbouring country.
But holders of the permit were given a 12 month grace period, that is, until 31 December 2022, to apply for other permits which they may qualify for.
Speaking on a South African television channel, SABC, on Monday, Pandor said this will pave the way for the country to deal with its pressing matters around migration. She said:
<blockquote>
It is important that we do have proper immigration in our country to address all concerns that are out there and some of the prejudices that are evident in some parts of our society.
</blockquote>
Over the past several weeks, South African authorities have been rounding up undocumented Zimbabweans and other foreign nationals for deportation as the country intensifies its fight against border jumping.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/south-africa-on-the-path-to-fixing-its-immigration-laws-minister-pandor/">SABC News</a></h4>

South Africa On The Path To Fixing Its Immigration Laws - Minister

Mmusi Maimane, the leader of the One SA movement, has blamed ZANU PF for what he calls the “immigration challenges” South Africa is facing.
Hundreds of Zimbabweans allegedly attempt to cross the border into South Africa daily using undesignated entry points to buy groceries, seek medical care or jobs, among other reasons.
As a result, over the past few weeks, South African authorities have arrested and deported hundreds of undocumented Zimbabweans.
Posting on Twitter, Maimane claimed South Africa’s refusal to deal with “tyranny” in Zimbabwe has resulted in the “immigration challenges” the southern African country is facing. <a href="https://twitter.com/MmusiMaimane/status/1484033111344168960?s=20">Said Maimane:</a>
<blockquote>
The immigration challenges that we are facing are because the SA government enabled a brutal and corrupt regime to terrorise its citizens for 42 years.
While there is tyranny in our neighbourhood, we will not be able to deal with the challenges of immigration.
This man @edmnangagwa and his party the ZANU PF are the root cause of this crisis and they have cost not only South Africa but all the countries in SADC.
From the Gukurahundhi massacres to this very date, the impact of the Mugabe, Mnangagwa eras has been a mass exodus.
Unless we talk about free and fair elections in Zimbabwe we are dealing with symptoms and not root causes.
Unless we talk about the respect for human rights and political rights in Zimbabwe, we are playing games and performing politics.
Panado does not cure cancer.
</blockquote>
This week, another opposition figure in South Africa, Julius Malema, has been visiting local businesses to assess the employment ratio of locals and foreign nationals.
South Africans generally accuse foreigners of taking away their jobs, and their anger has often been expressed through xenophobic attacks.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Maimane Blames ZANU PF For "Immigration Challenges" In South Africa

MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa said the opposition party is concerned about the plight of hundreds of thousands of Zimbabwean economic refugees in South Africa.
In a tweet on Friday, Chamisa said, once in power, the MDC Alliance will ensure there is a vibrant economy that will allow Zimbabweans to return to their homeland. <a href="https://twitter.com/nelsonchamisa/status/1479369459575967744">Chamisa said</a>:
<blockquote>
To all Zimbabweans living in South Africa, we are concerned about you, your challenges and seized with your situation.
We have opened platforms of engagement. Ultimately, we must fix our home base and that which has destroyed our beautiful and great country.
The immigration crisis facing the region is a result of too much diplomacy and too little action on the rigging of elections, governance deficits and multiple rights violations.
In order to solve the immigration challenges, we must end elections rigging and citizens repression.
</blockquote>
Chamisa’s remarks come after South Africa discontinued special permits (Zimbabwe Exemption Permits) that benefited about 200 000 Zimbabweans living and working in the neighbouring country.
Hundreds of undocumented Zimbabweans cross the border into South Africa daily, and this has forced Pretoria to tighten its regulations and beef up security to keep them out.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/chamisa-laments-zim-sa-migration-crisis/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Chamisa "Concerned" About Zimbabweans Living In South Africa

The South African Police Service (SAPS) on Friday intercepted a pickup truck with 14 illegal immigrants, mostly women, from Zimbabwe to Gauteng.
According to <a href="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/gauteng-police-stop-bakkie-with-14-illegal-immigrants-rom-zimbabwe/">SABC</a>, undocumented immigrants claimed that they each paid the driver R1 500 to transport them to Johannesburg.
SAPS also arrested the driver for bribery after he allegedly offered the law enforcement a certain amount for them to be allowed to go through. SAPS posted on Twitter:
<blockquote>
#sapsGP 14 illegal immigrants travelling from Zimbabwe to Gauteng were arrested by Gauteng police during operation #OkaeMolao. The driver was also arrested for bribery after he offered law enforcement officials an amount of money for them to be allowed to go through. ML
</blockquote>
This comes after South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi last week accused Zimbabwe’s security forces deployed at the Beitbridge Border Post of taking bribes to let undocumented immigrants into that country.
Motsoaledi claimed that South Africa border security authorities told him that Zimbabwean soldiers were receiving bribes from border jumpers to allow them into the neighbouring country.
An SANDF officer told Motsoaledi that they had communicated with the Zimbabwean army commanders about the issue of corrupt soldiers but apparently nothing was done to address it.
<h3>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h3>

Gauteng Police Intercept Pickup Truck With 14 Zimbabwean Border Jumpers

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says 2 820 people were arrested countrywide for violating COVID-19 control measures on Sunday alone.
Police said the cumulative number of people arrested for COVID-19 related breaches since the imposition of the lockdown on 30 March 2020 now stands at 1 361 397.
In a related development, the police made 81 519 arrests related to cross-border crimes since 1 January 2021 while tens of thousands have been arrested for illegal mining activities. ZRP said in a statement:
<blockquote>
The ZRP reports that on 19/12/21, 2 820 people were arrested for COVID-19 related breaches countrywide. The cumulative number of arrests since 30/03/20 now stands at 1 361 397.
On 19/12/21, 403 people were arrested on operation ‘No to Cross Border Crimes/ Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni Yamashango/ Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/ Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe’. The cumulative number of arrests now stands at 81 519 since 01/01/21.
As of 19/12/21, a total of 11 383 motorists were nabbed for fitting dangerous bar headlights on their vehicles, while 63 559 were arrested on Operation ‘Chikorokoza Ngachipere/ Isitsheketsha Kasiphele and No to Machete Gangs’.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Over 1 Million Arrested For Violating COVID-19 Prevention Measures

ZRP over the weekend reportedly arrested 182 border jumpers countrywide as they intensify patrols at various ports of entries to combat border jumping, The Herald reports.
The arrests were confirmed by ZRP National Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner who told the publication that last weekend they arrested 275 border jumpers including 23 minors for attempting to cross into South Africa without valid documents :
<blockquote>Members of the public are warned from using unauthorised ports of entry or exits and failing to declare their goods.
Police have arrested 182 people for violating the Immigration Act on Operation “No to Cross Border Crimes/ Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni/ Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/ Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe.”
Since the onset of the operation on January 7, 2021, a total of 8 299 arrests have been made</blockquote>
Some of the people arrested were fined while some are expected to appear in court soon. ZRp revealed that have increased border patrols in a bid to curb rampant cases of smuggling between the 2 countries.
Zimbabwe is yet to open its borders after closing them in January following the country’s COVID-19 second wave that was experienced after the festive season.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/border-jumpers-arrested-2/">The Herald </a>

ZRP Arrests 182 Border Jumpers Over The Weekend

The body of a suspected border jumper, thought to be of a Zimbabwean national, was recently discovered in the shallow waters inside the Limpopo River’s banks.
According to the <a href="https://twitter.com/NewsHawksLive/status/1347822895012130817" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsHawks</a>, the Zimbabwean national was attacked, killed and partly eaten by a crocodile in Beitbridge at the crocodile-infested Limpopo River while trying to cross to South Africa.
Hundreds of Zimbabweans use illegal crossing points to and from South Africa almost daily either to buy groceries and seek medical care or to work in that country’s informal sector.
Meanwhile, reports from South Africa <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/01/09/zimbabwean-nationals-stranded-at-ha-tshirundu-village-in-sa/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">indicate that scores of Zimbabweans are currently stranded at Ha-Tshirundu village in Malala Drift along the Beitbridge border fence.</a>
This comes after the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployed a chopper to fly over the Limpopo River to keep an eye on border jumpers and prevent illegal crossings.
Note: The image of the victim’s partly eaten body is too graphic to publish.

Zimbabwean Border Jumper Killed, Eaten By Crocodiles At Limpopo River

Four men assaulted and robbed a motorist who had parked his vehicle to fix two tyre punctures at night.
The motorist was robbed of an unknown amount of cash in the form of South African rands, United States dollars as well as bond notes and groceries.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the incident occurred on Thursday night along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Road. He said:
<blockquote>On the night of 17/12/20, a motorist parked his motor vehicle along the Masvingo-Beitbridge road when it had developed two same side tyre punctures which he failed to fix.
He was then approached by four men who assaulted and robbed him of his cash in the form of SA rands, US dollars and Zim dollars plus various groceries.</blockquote>
In another incident, police in Beitbridge arrested a group of 40 cross borders who were trying to illegally gain entry into the country from South Africa through undesignated points.
This comes as hundreds of Zimbabweans reportedly cross the border illegally daily to buy groceries or seek medical attention in South Africa.
Some of the border jumpers will be returning home for Christmas but the fear is that uncontrolled cross-border human traffic may spread the coronavirus, with Zimbabwe’s dilapidated public health system not in a position to cope with high infection rates.
In a statement, Ass Com Nyathi warned members of the public against entering or exiting the country through illegal points.

Motorist Assaulted, Robbed Of Cash & Groceries While Fixing Flat Tyres

The government intends to acquire drones and helicopters including all-terrain vehicles for deployment at the country’s borders, particularly with South Africa and Mozambique to make policing more efficient, an official has said.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana said the move will go a long way in winning the fight against the spread of coronavirus across the country’s borders. Said Mangwana:
<blockquote>We are in the process of putting together resources to acquire drones and helicopters that will be used to patrol the country’s long and porous border with other countries especially South Africa and Mozambique.
The drones and helicopters will be very handy in the fight against the spread of Covid-19 through curbing a surge in the number of returnees skipping the border to avoid mandatory quarantining and these items(drones and helicopters), will be more useful in the medium to long term and that is if this pandemic prolongs.</blockquote>
Mangwana added that the government was concerned about the high number of returnees who were illegally crossing the country’s porous border to evade mandatory quarantining and thus increase the risk of coronavirus transmission.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/drones-choppers-to-police-borders/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Govt To Acquire Drones, Helicopters For Border Patrols

ZRP last week arrested 13 people who were either trying to cross to or from South Africa among them smugglers who were incepted while carrying 125 litres of fuel, the Daily News reports.
In a statement about the arrest, ZRP said:
<blockquote>On 5 August police officers patrolling undesignated crossing points along the Limpopo River, arrested 13 people. At the time of arrest, 125 litres of fuel destined for the black market was recovered by police from one of the suspects.
The accused persons were charged for violating Covid-19 lockdown regulations whilst the owner of the fuel was additionally charged for importing hazardous substances without a licence.</blockquote>
Cases of smuggling commodities to and from South Africa have increased as borders remain closed since March 2020 when lockdowns were announced by many countries.
More: <a href="https://dailynews.co.zw/13-arrested-along-limpopo-river-2/">Daily News </a>

ZRP Arrests 13 Border Jumpers And Smugglers Along The Limpopo River

An undated video shows a large group of Zimbabwean citizens who were intercepted by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) after they crossed the border into South Africa illegally.
An elderly woman tells the soldiers that they left Zimbabwe at about 7 AM for South Africa and that she had travelled to the country to seek better medical care.
Watch the video below:
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 640px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="352" id="video-175336-1" preload="metadata" width="640"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Messina.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Messina.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Messina.mp4</a></video></div>

WATCH: Illegal Border Jumpers Come Face-to-face With SA Soldiers In The Bush

The government has decided to increase security and border patrols to try and manage the number of border jumpers coming into the country through porous borders as COVID-19 cases increase, ZBC News reports. The government will use high tech equipment to find border jumpers evading mandatory quarantine.
This was revealed by Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe on the sidelines of a meeting he was having with the UN Coordinator Ms Maria Ribeiro. Kazembe Kazembe:
<blockquote>The Zimbabwe Republic Police and other security agencies have increased patrols, we have increased manpower and we are also in the process of introducing technology. We are in the process of procuring appropriate technology to assist us to enhance patrols on the border
We are equally concerned in that the number of cases have gone up, mainly as a result of our returnees which makes it very critical for us to then tighten control of our borders. I can assure the nation that we are doing everything we can to curb this,</blockquote>
94 border jumpers have been intercepted since the lockdown started in March.
More: <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/covid-19-gvt-tightens-boarder-security/">ZBC News</a>

Govt To Use High Tech Equipment At The Country's Borders To Spot Border Jumpers Evading Mandatory Quarantine

A Community in Umzingwane District in Matabeleland South reportedly reported 4 Zimbabweans who had skipped the border into the country to attend a funeral, the Daily News reports. The development was confirmed by the information ministry’s permanent secretary Nick Mangwana who said:
<blockquote>Umzingwane District yesterday (Wednesday) received four people who illegally sneaked into the country to attend a funeral. They were reported by the community and they are now quarantined at Esikhoveni Training Institute. The community took responsibility for its own safety.</blockquote>
This comes after the government urged communities to report people who are absconding mandatory quarantine. The 4 have since been placed under mandatory quarantine. Meanwhile, over <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/05/24/99-escape-from-quarantine-facilities-countrywide/">100 people have escaped from quarantine facilities</a> nationwide.
More: <a href="https://dailynews.co.zw/umzingwane-sells-out-quarantine-evaders/">Daily News</a>

Umzingwane District Community Reports 4 Border Jumpers Who Evaded Quarantine To Attend A Funeral

The Bulawayo City Council through its Health Director has urged residents to report border jumpers who are evading mandatory quarantine at entry points and risk spreading COVID-19 to other people in the country to city health officials, The Chronicle reports.
While speaking at a ceremony to receive donations yesterday, Bulawayo City Council’s  director for Health Services Dr Edwin Sibanda said:
<blockquote>The issue of border jumping has come to our attention and it is the duty of every resident to report such. We urge residents to notify us whenever they receive border jumping relatives as anyone who comes into the country must undergo isolation according to law
We are not aware of their whereabouts hence we cannot follow them up hence we rely on residents to help us fight the spread of Covid-19. They should go to our holding centres for 21 centres and be tested so that we map a way forward</blockquote>
Dr Sibanda’s remarks come at a time ZRP has confirmed that close to <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/05/24/99-escape-from-quarantine-facilities-countrywide/">100 people have escaped from quarantine facilities countrywide</a>. Some returnees have said the <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/05/24/confusing-quarantine-processes-at-beitbridge-border-post-causing-people-to-escape-from-quarantine-report/">chaotic process at Beitbridge border post is the reason why some people are escaping</a> from the quarantine facilities.
More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/report-border-jumpers-to-fight-covid-19/">The Chronicle </a>

Report Border Jumpers To City Health Officials  - Bulawayo City Council

Chiredzi District COVID-19 Taskforce is on high alert due to an increase in the number of citizens and foreigners entering the district through illegal points from South Africa and Mozambique.
While Chiredzi has not recorded any COVID-19 case, there are concerns the district will import the disease because of foreigners and locals entering into the district without going through mandatory quarantine.
Speaking during a meeting of the Chiredzi District Covid-19 Taskforce, chairperson Lovemore Chisema urged the community to remain vigilant and report all cases of illegal entries. He said:
<blockquote>As the District Taskforce team, we continue to engage our surrounding communities in the fight against Covid-19.
We are receiving reports from traditional leaders and members of the community of people who are illegally sneaking into the town hence we have to up our game security-wise and ensure they go through quarantine procedures.</blockquote>
The District Taskforce is, however, facing challenges which include transport to ferry those who may have avoided quarantine as well as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/covid-19-update-chiredzi-taskforce-on-high-alert/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZBC News</a></h4>

Chiredzi District COVID-19 Taskforce Wary Of Border Jumpers

Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Minister Abednico Ncube has called for a heavy deployment of security forces along the country’s borders with South Africa and Botswana.
This follows reports of returnees sneaking into the country without being subjected to the 21-day mandatory quarantine.
Speaking on Monday during his tour of isolation centres in Gwanda, Minister Ncube those who are avoiding quarantine are putting local communities at risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus. He said:
<blockquote>As a province, we have received with great concern reports of people that are getting into the country mostly from South Africa through illegal entry points.
This is alarming because we are faced with a pandemic and anyone coming into the country has to go through necessary health checks.
… we are a border province and such activities will pose a huge threat for us.</blockquote>
On Monday, police manning a roadblock at Ngundu Growth Point in Masvingo Province intercepted 18 Zimbabwean returnees suspected to have crossed into the country from South Africa illegally.
They were then taken to Rupangwana Isolation Centre in Chiredzi for mandatory COVID-19 testing and quarantining.
Zimbabwe currently has 37 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/border-jumpers-pose-covid-19-threat/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

Zimbabwean Authorities Worried Over COVID-19 Threat Posed By Border Jumpers

South Africa’s R37 million fence between its border with Zimbabwe has sparked debate in the neighbouring country, with critics criticizing the project as a “knee-jerk reaction” to seal off the border because of the COVID-19 crisis.
The fence has already been perforated on several points by illegal immigrants even before the 40km long border has been covered.
Citizens of both countries who cross the border illegally have labelled the fence “a joke” with one Busani Sibanda saying:
<blockquote>This is not a fence. This thing doesn’t even take me five minutes to cut through. We make big holes so we can get suitcases with cigarettes through and small ones so we can get people and groceries through.</blockquote>
The South African government has deployed soldiers to patrol the fence but they admit they are fighting a losing battle trying to stem the flow of people across the border.
A soldier who spoke to TimesLive on condition of anonymity said:
<blockquote>Not everyone coming across the river is a criminal. Most are starving. We find mothers who, when we arrest them, beg us not to send them home. They beg to be taken somewhere where they can eat.</blockquote>
Reports indicate that South Africa’s department of public works has paid R21 million to Magwa Construction for the 40km fence.
The awarding of the contract to the company is set to be investigated by auditor-general Kimi Makwetu for alleged procurement irregularities.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/news/2020-04-26-sas-r37m-covid-fence-joke/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TimesLive</a></h4>

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