STATE Security agents and immigration officials sealed the Beitbridge Border Post yesterday amid speculation they were tightening the noose on suspected smugglers and touts.
BY OWN CORRESPONDENT
Only genuine cross-border traders, shipping agents and officials employed at the border post were allowed entry after a rigorous vetting exercise that included production of acceptable identification cards.
Police Officer Commanding Beitbridge District Chief Superintendent Francis Phiri confirmed the operation, describing it as a routine security check.
“It’s normal. We should be doing this all the time. You are aware the border post is a security area and these are just normal security measures we are taking,” he said.
As early as 7am, Phiri led a security team including immigration and customs officials to vet traders at various points of entry.
Police and immigration officials demanded passports or identity cards to show one was a genuine traveller or their work took them into the border post.
Customs officials asked for goods declarations from arriving travellers and scrutinised their documents to ascertain those deserving goods rebates.
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Numerous incidents of pilferage and pickpocketing have, of late, been reported in the border post, where truck drivers complain of break-ins on their vehicles.