The South African National Defence Force has intensified border security operations along the Limpopo River by deploying speed boats to stop illegal crossings from Zimbabwe into South Africa through undesignated entry points.
The move comes after persistent appeals from the Border Management Authority, which has raised concern over continued unlawful crossings along sections of the border where fencing and ground patrols have proved ineffective.
Reporting from the Limpopo River, Newzroom Afrika journalist Scara Mafokoane observed groups of Zimbabwean nationals waiting along the riverbanks and closely monitoring SANDF patrol movements. According to Mafokoane, some migrants appear to cross shortly after patrol boats leave certain sections of the river, taking only a few minutes to reach the South African side.
Border Management Authority officials have acknowledged that the border fence is no longer a strong deterrent. One official said repeat offenders are frequently arrested and then quickly return to attempt another crossing. He explained that authorities now profile individuals who repeatedly breach border regulations and open formal criminal cases so that they can be prosecuted.
Despite joint operations involving the SANDF, the South African Police Service and other agencies, officials admit that manpower constraints remain a major challenge. The Limpopo border stretches for about 40 kilometres, making it difficult to maintain constant surveillance across all sections.
Authorities say the use of speed boats is part of broader efforts to close security gaps along the river and strengthen border control, as pressure continues to mount over illegal migration and cross-border crime.
