By Patience Gondo
RESIDENTS of Beitbridge are concerned over the growing number of deportees seen roaming around the town, amid fears that some may be linked to cases of theft and other petty crimes.
The concerns come as deportation figures show a steady flow of returnees through the border town.
According to Immigration Deportation Statistics (Average) provided by Regional Immigration Officer Joshua Chibundu , for January to December 2025 a total of 21 776 Zimbabweans were ejected from South Africa.
The monthly average is 1 815.
Of the total, 17 821 were males, 3 675 females and 280 minors and these are just offloaded at Beitbridge at times with nothing.
The highest number of deportees was recorded in October with 2 621, followed by May with 2 209, while other months such as January, April and September each recorded over 1 600 deportees.
Catherine Mawarire a resident said the presence of deportees in the town has become more visible, particularly in the central business district, Dulibadzimu Bus Rank , residential areas and around shops.
Some residents allege that deportees, after being released often remain in Beitbridge in attempts to find ways back to SA.
During this period, residents say some deportees are seen begging for food and money.
These concerns come at a time when incidents such as vehicle quarter glass break-ins thefts have been reported in the town.
On our recent publication regarding such incidents, one reader wrote, “Prisons are about to overflow. Police are about to be extra busy plus an influx of deportees roaming around the town.”
Speaking to Ziyah News Network Beitbridge Dispol Melusi Ncube said the influx of deportees is a matter of concern from a law enforcement perspective.
“The issue of deportees is a worrisome matter even to us the law enforcement agents. We receive an average of 400 deportees per week who would have committed serious cases such as Armed Robberies, Rape, Fraud, Unlawful Entry and Theft etc. So indeed there is a probability they might be the ones committing some crimes in our area, ”He said .
Beitbridge serves as Zimbabwe’s busiest border post and receives deportees from South Africa. The steady inflow has made deportees a visible presence in the town, where some remain temporarily before travelling to their places of origin.
Residents say the situation has become part of daily life in the border town, with deportees frequently seen moving around public spaces as they seek assistance or make arrangements for onward travel.
South Africa has significantly increased the deportation of undocumented foreign nationals, with over 51,000 individuals removed in the 2024/25 period.
This intensification is driven by a combination of political, economic, and social factors aimed at managing public pressure surrounding the 2024 national elections and local government elections.
As the country faces highly competitive elections, political parties, including the ruling ANC and opposition groups like ActionSA and the Patriotic Alliance, have adopted tougher stances on immigration to gain voter support.
Foreigners are often used as scapegoats for deeper socio-economic issues.