Government tightens security at borders

In a bid to curb, increasing numbers of illegal boarder crossing people who defy stipulated quarantining for deadly Covid-19, the government has deployed more security forces and high -technology equipment at borders and ports of entry.

The highly sophisticated equipment will complement the usual security patrols at borders.

Addressing journalists last night, government officials refuted to shade more light on what was being procured as this will facilitate illegal cross border movements.

To date, 94 border jumpers have been arrested since the inception of Covid -19 induced lockdown.

Legal entry is simple for citizens and residents coming home, with such people having an absolute right to enter Zimbabwe through a formal border post and the only measures being taken is ensuring that the person coming home undergoes eight days of quarantine in an official centre and another 13 days quarantine at home.

Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Kazembe Kazembe, told 263Bulletin yesterday after meeting the United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms Maria Ribeiro, that adequate manpower had been deployed countrywide.

Minister Kazembe added that, “the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other security agencies have increased patrols; we have increased manpower and we are also in the process of introducing technology. We are in the process of procuring appropriate technology to assist us to enhance patrols on the border”.

“We are equally concerned in that the number of cases have gone up, mainly as a result of our returnees which makes it very critical for us to then tighten control of our borders. I can assure the nation that we are doing everything we can to curb this,” said Minister Kazembe.

Minister Kazembe reiterated that he had a fruitful meeting with Ms Ribeiro.

The meeting covered a range of issues mainly on Covid-19, and areas of cooperation, especially in the fight against Covid-19. She also wanted to know challenges that Zimbabwe could be facing so that they work together to resolve them.

He applauded Ms Ribeiro and her team for seeking the meeting.

Ms Ribeiro articulated that they also discussed the situation of returning Zimbabweans and those in quarantine centres and how possibly the UN could work with Government on key priority areas.

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Tatenda Mutumhe

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