By Rex Mphisa
THE South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF’s) says it has put an aquatic resource to combat illegal immigrants and contraband smugglers from Zimbabwe across the Limpopo River.
According to their DefenceWeb magazine, SANDF, has acquired rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), better known as “rubber ducks”.
DefenceWeb said the Limpopo River constitutes a high risk, porous border environment, characterised by difficult terrain, limited fixed infrastructure and seasonal fluctuations in water levels that are routinely exploited by cross-border criminal networks.
“Intelligence assessments consistently indicate that the riverine environment is used for illegal cross-border movement of persons, smuggling of goods, stolen vehicles and contraband, particularly during peak periods such as the festive season,” said DefenceWeb.
“To address this a combat engineer capability, specialising in riverine operations, was deployed to reinforce existing land-based patrols. This introduction intends to enhance mobility, visibility and deterrence in areas that are inaccessible to conventional patrol vehicles and foot patrols.”
“This deployment ensures a layered border security posture, integrating land, riverine and intelligence-driven operations to deny criminal elements freedom of movement across the riverine border. The effectiveness of the rubber boat deployment is measured through quantifiable operational outputs, which includes reduced activity in identified hotspots,” it said.
The Limpopo River separating the two countries is always mistakenly associated with goods smuggled into South Africa alone yet that illicit trade also benefits businesses in Limpopo Province.
Farmers in that province prey on underpaid labour they assist cross into that country.
Some unscrupulous farmers use Zimbabwean labourers and invite Home Affairs officials towards pay days to eject them before paying them.
In towns like Musina traders offer credit schemes to smugglers and transport their goods to illegal crossing points free.
Immigration officials in Zimbabwe said SA officials worry more about their presence against those using,illegal crossing points yet failing to handle bona-fide travellers.
You will notice during holidays people struggle to pass the SA border to Zimbabwe and also were delayed for up to 15 hours going into that country after New Year.
“They put a lot of energy those crossing illegally but fail to put resources towards serving bona fide travellers. Of course there is need to guard a border against illegal travellers but those with papers must get preference,” said a senior immigration officer at Beitbridge