POLICE in Botswana have since January this year arrested
more than 4 000 Zimbabweans for attempting to illegally cross into the
neighbouring country.
The border jumpers, 2 479 men, 1 521 women and children
were intercepted at the border while attempting to cross into Botswana.
Addressing delegates during a Zimbabwe Republic Police
(ZRP) mass crime awareness campaign at Dingumuzi Stadium in Plumtree on
Tuesday, Botswana senior police officer, assistant superintendent Mothokomedi
Ponyane from Tshesebe police crime office, said the increase in cases of
illegal border crossing have become a cause for concern.
He said border jumping posed a security threat to both
countries hence the need to fight it from both ends.
The campaign ran under the theme “Join hands in fighting
crimes of passion.”
“The most
problematic issue in Botswana is illegal border crossing. Betweeen January and
September this year, statistics show that we arrested 4 387 Zimbabwean
nationals crossing into Botswana through border jumping. Out of this total
number 2 479 are males and the remaining comprise of both women and children,”
said Asst Supt Ponyane.
He urged members of the public to obtain the required
travel documents to avoid arrests.
Botswana together with the ZRP are carrying out border
crime meetings and patrols along the border to combat incidents of border
jumping.
Ass Supt Ponyane said through the patrols they have not
only addressed border jumping issues but have managed to recover smuggled goods.
“We have forums where the two countries meet to discuss
issues of cross border crime. In our meetings we also share information
regarding the arrest and release of criminals both in Botswana and Zimbabwe.
After sharing information on criminal issues, we set aside days when we conduct
patrols along the border. Through these exercises we managed to recover
property that was smuggled into Botswana. In one incident I understand it was a
case where dagga was smuggled into our country,” he said.
“Let me confirm that so far we are enjoying a good working
relationship with the ZRP. I want to appeal to all Zimbabwean citizens to join
hands with the ZRP to fight crime along our borders particularly illegal border
crossing and smuggling of goods. We must work together for the betterment of
our two countries and ensure our borders are safe”.
Industry and Commerce Minister, Mangaliso Ndlovu said
police in Plumtree have recorded more than 1 000 criminal cases this year.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Member of Parliament
for Mangwe Constituency Cde Hlalani Mguni, Minister Ndlovu expressed concern
over the increase in cases of crime in the area, saying it has destroyed the
spirit of ubuntu.
Police in Plumtree continue to record crimes such as rape,
robbery, murder, assaults and unlawful entry and theft.
“Our crime situation is not good in Plumtree. Our
statistics reflect an upward trend in cases of crime. Between
January and December 2018 we recorded a total of 771 cases compared to 1
124 cases recorded between January and September this year reflecting a huge
increase,” he said.
Minister Ndlovu said most of the perpetrators were
deportees and measures should be taken to ensure their movement is monitored.
“Some of the crimes are committed by our deportee brothers
and sisters who are desperate to raise money to take them to their
destinations. Authorities will continue to gather intelligence through
stakeholder liaison to ensure that when deportees are released their movement
is monitored,” he said.
The other stakeholders that attended the crime awareness
campaign include Environmental Management Agency (EMA) officials, Zimbabwe
Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) workers and officials from Plumtree town council. Chronicle
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