Ex-convicts and stranded deportees from South Africa are believed to be fueling crime in Beit Bridge, resulting in a surge in the number of robberies occurring in the border town.

Police and residents have attributed the increase in robberies to the resumption of the deportation of Zimbabweans from South Africa. The exercise has also seen an increase in the number of ex-convicts being "brought home through Beit Bridge." Residents called on police to intensify night patrols at  criminal hot spots, such as the Dulibadzimu Bus Terminus, Hlalani Kuhle houses and Mfelandawonye. “Since the resumption of deportations, there has been an increase in the spate of robberies in Beit Bridge. Of late, we have witnessed a sharp increase in robberies occurring in Dulibadzimu, especially at night. Hardly a week passes by without a robbery," a resident said.

“We urge police to intensify their patrols as we now endure sleepless nights for fear of being attacked by robbers,” said Ms Nditsheni Mudau of Dulibadzimu. Another resident, Mr Tapson Ndou, said his neighbour was robbed of household property  last week by a group of four men who descended on his home in the middle of the night.

Ms Thabang Tlou of Dulibadzimu said: “I woke up on Friday morning and found the door of my bedroom wide open and my handbag missing. In fact, it looks like the suspect first peeped through the window before proceeding to the door, where he destroyed the lock to gain entry and stole my handbag while I was sleeping,” she said.

The local police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Lawrence Chinhengo, also expressed concern over a rise in armed robberies in the town. On being deported from South Africa, returnees are taken to the International Organisation for Migration's (IOM) reception and support centre, where they are offered overnight accommodation, medication, food and transport to proceed to their respective homes. However, a majority of the deportees turn down any form of assistance from the IOM, and those who opt to go home using their own means are released, and most of them resort to crossing back to South Africa.