Another group of undocumented children stopped at Beitbridge

Authorities on the Beitbridge Port of Entry have intercepted one more group of undocumented minor kids.

The Border Administration Authority (BMA) confirmed that officers stopped a minibus taxi carrying 33 undocumented kids aged between 4 and 15 on Tuesday, 13 January 2026.

The kids had been travelling from South Africa to Zimbabwe with out the required journey paperwork.

Suspicious taxi stopped throughout routine checks

In accordance with BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato, a junior border guard on reduction responsibility grew suspicious of a Zimbabwe-registered Siyaya minibus taxi at round 12:30pm.

After stopping and looking out the automobile, officers found the youngsters packed inside with none authorized documentation or proof of lawful cross-border journey.

Two Zimbabwean males, aged 32 and 23, had been instantly arrested for allegedly facilitating the unlawful motion of the minors throughout the border.

Authorities have opened prison circumstances towards each suspects underneath the Immigration Act, referring to the facilitation of unlawful entry and motion of undocumented individuals.

Kids handed over to social providers

Officers handed all 33 kids over to the Division of Social Growth, which is now processing the case in step with South Africa’s baby safety legal guidelines and worldwide obligations.

Social employees will assess the youngsters’s welfare and decide acceptable subsequent steps to make sure their security.

BMA warns dad and mom towards risking kids’s lives

Dr Masiapato praised the junior border guard’s alertness, saying the interception as soon as once more highlighted the impression of strengthened border controls at Beitbridge.

“This interception underscores the effectiveness of enhanced border administration measures and the Authority’s agency stance towards crimes involving kids,” he mentioned.

The commissioner additionally issued a stern warning to oldsters and guardians, urging them to cease sending undocumented kids throughout borders, the place they’re uncovered to critical dangers together with trafficking and abuse.

“The Border Administration Authority is not going to tolerate the exploitation of minors or the facilitation of unlawful cross-border motion. We stay dedicated to defending the integrity of our borders whereas upholding human rights and baby safety rules,” Dr Masiapato mentioned.

Undocumented kids on the border

Final week, Border Administration Authority officers intercepted 20 minors close to the Limpopo River, near the Beitbridge port of entry.

The BMA mentioned the minors, aged between 5 and 17, had been believed to be travelling from South Africa to Zimbabwe.

Officers additionally discovered 10 adults within the group, however preliminary checks confirmed that just one grownup was the organic mother or father of 1 baby, whereas the remaining minors had been travelling with out parental supervision or lawful guardianship.