By A Correspondent- Police said they had arrested 50 301 people under an operation aimed at fighting cross border crimes and 48 235 others under an operation targeting illegal mining activities.
 
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police would continue to intensify efforts to apprehend suspects under these operations.
 
The two operations were launched in January as part of efforts to contain cases of smuggling and border jumping that are rampant in the country as well as illegal mining activities and violence being caused by machete gangs.
 
“There is an operation which is ongoing where we have deployed our personnel to man all the country’s points of entry and exit. We have also increased patrols in mining areas. As at 20 September we had arrested 50 301 since operation, ‘No to Cross Border Crimes/ Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni Yamashango/Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe,’ began in January 2021,” he said.
 
“We also arrested 48 235 people under the operation, ‘Chikorokoza Ngachipere/ Isitsheketsha Kasiphele’ and No To Machete Gangs. “
 
He urged members of the public to alert the police whenever crimes are being committed.
 
Government continues to lose millions of dollars in potential revenue as unrelenting smugglers and border jumpers continue to defy Covid-19 lockdown regulations by escalating their illegal activities. With borders closed many traders have resorted to smuggling their goods into the country for sale.
 
Illegal crossing points are used as major conduits for smuggling goods in and out of the country such as cigarettes, beer, groceries and household property among other commercial goods.
 
The country also continues to record cases of violence in mining areas caused by machete gangs. The gangs will be targeting miners intending to rob them while in some instances the violence is caused by tensions among rival mining groups. Chronicle