Significant progress was made in border security on Sunday, April 28, 2024, by the south African Border Police Team based at Beitbridge Port of Entry, which is located in the Vhembe District, just outside of Musina.
42 foreign nationals were detained for breaking immigration regulations.
After being apprehended at the border, these people were processed quickly by Department of Home Affairs Immigration Officers in preparation for their prompt deportation back to their home countries.
In the course of their operation, authorities also seized a handcrafted wooden step ladder that they thought was meant to be used to bridge the Limpopo River between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
This seizure is evidence of the continued efforts to improve local security protocols and prevent unauthorized border crossings.
In an unrelated operation, the Multidisciplinary Team arrested nine people for their roles in the illegal cigarette trade in Mokopane, which is in the Waterberg District.
The operation proved to be a major setback to the illegal trade network operating in the area, since thousands of rands worth of contraband cigarettes were seized.
Moreover, authorities in Thohoyandou, which is located in the Vhembe District, detained a male suspect, age 31, on suspicion of rape, assaulting a police officer, and evading arrest.
This arrest demonstrates the authorities’ unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of communities.
The suspects are scheduled to appear before many Magistrate’s Courts during the course of the proceedings.
Law enforcement authorities’ determination to fight crime, uphold law and order, and protect the integrity of South Africa’s borders is evident in their concerted efforts.