Zim cops arrest 200+ illegals

2006-11-28 13:22

Harare - Zimbabwean police have arrested more than 2 000 people attempting to cross the border illegally in a 12-day blitz along the country's extensive border with southern neighbour, South Africa, say reports.

It was reported that 31 of the 2 189 illegal immigrants picked up while attempting to cross Limpopo River were Somalis believed to have escaped from holding camps inside Zimbabwe.

Police spokesperson Tafanana Dzirutwe said: "We picked up some of the criminals on their way to SA while others were arrested on their way back to Zimbabwe."

He said arrests were part of a police blitz dubbed Operation Restore Sanity that took place from November 13-25.

'We'll continue with patrols'

Police had subsequently been deployed to monitor more than 200 points along Limpopo River used as crossing points for those attempting to cross the border.

Dzirutwe said: "We are going to continue with our patrols until sanity is brought to the area."

SA, with its robust economy and strong currency was a destination of choice for Zimbabweans escaping biting economic hardships at home.

The South African home affairs department was reported to be deporting about 300 illegal Zimbabwean immigrants a day.

Illegal immigrants from East and Central Africa also used Zimbabwe with its porous borders as a conduit to reach SA.

In October, 12 Somalis were arrested in Zimbabwe, while another 15 were arrested in northern Zimbabwe after they crossed illegally into the country from Zambia.

Sapa-dpa

- SAPA