In the last seven days, the National Migration Service (SENAMI) has recorded the transit of more than 8,000 nationals and foreigners across the Machipanda border crossing in Manica province, in the centre of Mozambique.
A considerable number of the foreign nationals were travelling to the city of Beira, the capital of the central province of Sofala, the province of Inhambane and other tourist destinations to enjoy the beautiful beaches and other beauty that nature offers during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The spokesman for the Migration Services in Manica province, Abílio Mate, who revealed the fact, explained that in order to combat the illegal entry of citizens, several checkpoints have been set up on the main roads in the province.
“The number of entries could increase given that the end-of-year festivities are still coming up. The checkpoints have counted around 8,000 citizens who have travelled into our country via the Machipanda border crossing. However, we have also seen many Mozambicans leaving for Zimbabwe, Botswana and other countries in the interior,” said Abílio Mate.
“We believe that throughout this week, more citizens will enter Mozambique. Our country has beaches and other places that are very popular with tourists during the Christmas and New Year festive season. Therefore, with the involvement of other organisations, we will continue to work to guarantee the safe movement of people and goods.
During the Christmas and New Year festivities, according to Abílio Mate, officials, including those in the administrative sector, will be deployed to reinforce the inspection and control teams at the Machipanda border crossing and other official crossings.
“Our appeal is for people to avoid crossing borders illegally. Use the official borders established by the state. Citizens who are found crossing the border in places not indicated could be detained and spend the festive season in not very pleasant situations. We all want to spend the holidays in a dignified manner and for everyone to be with their families,” said the source.
Mate said, without revealing the number, that over the weekend citizens who tried to cross the border with Zimbabwe illegally were neutralised.
These citizens have been detained and the foreigners could be repatriated to their countries of origin within a few days.
“We have a significant number of citizens detained for trying to breach the border line. Work is underway to return the foreigners to their countries of origin. We rely on the involvement of the communities that help us identify the routes used by these violators,” he said.
Mate considers that, in general, the Christmas festivities took place in a calm and peaceful atmosphere, without many cases of illegal citizens being detained in Manica province.
