Border post challenges identified

Most of the country’s border posts are facing numerous challenges that compromise national security, including shortages of staff, patrol vehicles and security infrastructure. This is according to the National Council Standing Committees on Home Affairs, Security, Constitutional and Legal Affairs’ report on National Border Posts. “Various stakeholders, including civil societies and the media, testified that there was a need for the Government to act immediately and address these trepidations,” Zimbabwean member of parliament Exevila Maoneke told a meeting of the Joint Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs, Security and War Veterans Affairs and Thematic Committee on Peace and Security, a powerful oversight body. In his presentation of the findings of the report, he said, “effective border security governance ensures the safe and legal movement of people, goods and services while preventing smuggling, trafficking, illicit activities and unauthorised crossing, recognising the importance of watertight border posts to the country’s development agenda”. The committee recommended the implementation of electronic pre-clearance systems, single window trade platforms, cargo tracking systems, mobile scanners, canine units, risk management systems and aerial drone surveillance as a comprehensive security and efficiency approach by leveraging technology and multi-layered security measures to enhance border management. “These integrated systems facilitate efficient risk assessment, real-time monitoring and targeted interventions, thereby streamlining legitimate trade while strengthening detection and prevention capabilities against contraband, smuggling and other security threats,” the report states. The extent of the smuggling is illustrated by the $271 022 worth of smuggled items intercepted at seven of the major border posts between January and February 2025. “The substantial value of recovered goods at Zimbabwe’s border posts underscores the importance of robust border security measures in combating cross-border crimes,” the report states. The findings follow the committee’s oversight assessment visit to border posts conducted between August 18 and September 9, 2025, as part of the committee’s 2025/2026 Annual Plan. Several of the posts, including Mata-Mata, Klein Manasse, Sarusungu, Mohembo, Ngoma and Nkurenkuru, do not have enough officials per shift. At the Oshikango border FN25M0184FN25M0184FN26J0485S post, there is a shortage of border guards and immigration officers, with staffing levels still below the required minimum per shift for a 24/7 operation. Some border posts face a shortage of official vehicles for day- to-day operations, as well as a lack of vehicles for borderline patrols. The affected border posts in this regard include Mata-Mata, Klein Manasse, Katima and Nkurenkuru. “Although the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security received funds to address the vehicle shortage for operations and border patrols, it did not prioritise dispatching vehicles to the borders or procure any patrol vehicles as planned. “It is recommended that the ministry reallocate the existing fleet so that each identified border post receives at least one or two vehicles for daily operations,” the report states. Some border posts also face a shortage of potable water and frequent power outages. The Klein Manasse, Ngoma, and Trans-Kalahari border posts are affected by a shortage of potable water, while the constant power outages impact the Klein Manasse, Mohembo, Katima, and Ngoma border posts. The Oshikango Border Post also lacks proper control over the movement of people crossing the border. Five additional border posts have been gazetted to address illegal crossings where official entry points are far apart. The distance between border posts ranges from a minimum of 200km (Beitbridge-Tuli) to over 500km (Forbes-Nyamapanda). ER