By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
THE Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Beitbridge has linked a recent wave of robbery cases in the border town to cross-border criminal networks operating between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
This emerged during a Crime Liaison Committee meeting held in Beitbridge on Tuesday.
Officer Commanding CID Crime in Beitbridge, Detective Inspector Garikai Jimu, said although no robbery cases had been reported in the past two weeks, previous incidents were largely influenced by the town’s proximity to the South African border.
“We had a spate of robbery cases and our proximity to the border contributes significantly because perpetrators cross into South Africa after committing crimes,” said Insp Jimu.
“We also received information that a robbery suspect arrested yesterday in Harare originated from Beitbridge, which may explain why robbery cases have gone down on this side recently.”
Insp Jimu added that deportees arriving in Beitbridge from South Africa every week were also contributing to the district’s crime rate.
“We have deportees every week who are dropped off at IOM without money to return to their homes, and some end up resorting to crime. We need raids targeting people living on the streets,” he said.
The remarks raised concern among stakeholders, who questioned the effectiveness of surveillance at illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River.
Community member Mr Hassan questioned why security personnel were not consistently deployed at known illegal crossing points despite growing criminal activity linked to cross-border movements.
“Since the Limpopo area is full of activity, why are there no officers stationed at known illegal crossing points to monitor movement? We also need stronger relations with crime departments in Musina,” he said.
Pastor Mabhena of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches also raised concern over a rise in robbery cases in low-density suburbs, which he attributed to poor street lighting.
He urged the CID to conduct more night raids targeting people living on the streets.
Speaking to Ziyah News Network on the sidelines of the meeting, Crime Liaison Committee chairperson Gift Nyoni stressed the need for accountability and implementation of resolutions agreed upon during previous meetings.
“We hope to take these contributions further and ensure that resolutions from these meetings are implemented,” said Nyoni.
Stakeholders at the meeting called for stronger cross-border cooperation, tighter surveillance at illegal entry points, and improved community safety measures to curb the growing threat of robbery in Beitbridge.
Residents also urged authorities to address social challenges contributing to crime, including the plight of deportees and poor street lighting in residential areas.