Beitbridge Border Post works better these days thanks to e-gates and online systems. The immigration office added these changes to make crossing safer and faster for everyone. Mr. Lucky Joe Matyora, who leads the assistant regional immigration team at this busy entry point, told visiting lawmakers about these improvements during their tour today. The new setup cuts down on direct contact between officials and travelers, which helps stop bribes.
Mr. Matyora said they started testing these systems recently and like what they see happening. Border workers from different agencies team up using cameras and flying drones to keep watch. This teamwork helps them catch people who should not cross the border. They spot problems both at the main crossing and along the edges where people try to sneak through. These tools make the border much harder to cross illegally.
The border teams also stopped many children from crossing without parents or legal papers. During 2023, staff caught more than 300 kids trying to cross illegally. Last year, that number went down to 149 children stopped at Beitbridge. The border staff worked together to bring these numbers down through better watching and checking. They keep looking for ways to protect children from smugglers who might harm them.
Lawmakers came to see how the border runs with these new systems in place. They walked around watching how people move through the crossing points. The electronic gates scan documents faster than humans can check them. Computers quickly tell staff who can enter and who needs more questions. This speeds up lines for honest travelers wanting to cross. The border stays open all hours with these helpful machines working alongside human officers.
The changes at Beitbridge show how Zimbabwe is improving its border security step by step. Fewer people can slip past unnoticed, with cameras watching every corner. Drones fly overhead, spotting anyone trying to avoid normal checkpoints. Mr. Matyora feels proud of how his team handles thousands of crossings each day. The lawmakers seemed pleased with what they saw during their important visit to this key entry point between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Mr. Matyora said they started testing these systems recently and like what they see happening. Border workers from different agencies team up using cameras and flying drones to keep watch. This teamwork helps them catch people who should not cross the border. They spot problems both at the main crossing and along the edges where people try to sneak through. These tools make the border much harder to cross illegally.
The border teams also stopped many children from crossing without parents or legal papers. During 2023, staff caught more than 300 kids trying to cross illegally. Last year, that number went down to 149 children stopped at Beitbridge. The border staff worked together to bring these numbers down through better watching and checking. They keep looking for ways to protect children from smugglers who might harm them.
Lawmakers came to see how the border runs with these new systems in place. They walked around watching how people move through the crossing points. The electronic gates scan documents faster than humans can check them. Computers quickly tell staff who can enter and who needs more questions. This speeds up lines for honest travelers wanting to cross. The border stays open all hours with these helpful machines working alongside human officers.
The changes at Beitbridge show how Zimbabwe is improving its border security step by step. Fewer people can slip past unnoticed, with cameras watching every corner. Drones fly overhead, spotting anyone trying to avoid normal checkpoints. Mr. Matyora feels proud of how his team handles thousands of crossings each day. The lawmakers seemed pleased with what they saw during their important visit to this key entry point between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
