The police at Beit Bridge arrested 335 suspects during the Easter holiday's anti-crime operation, raising a total of US$16 000 through ticketing for various offenses.

Police spokesperson C/Supt Lawrence Chinhengo said the suspects were arrested between Good Friday and Sunday. Among those arrested were motorists, alleged poachers, stock thieves and bogus clearing agents operating at the border, mostly targeting travellers passing through the border post.

The highest number of arrests was under the Road Traffic Act, which saw 245 motorists being fined for offences such as overloading, reckless driving and failure to adhere to traffic rules and regulations. They also impounded 17 vehicles that were not roadworthy. “We mounted mobile roadblocks targeting overloaded cars, unregistered vehicles carrying passengers with unsecured loads, and unlicensed and drunken drivers who mainly contribute to road accidents,” he said.

Chinhengo said they had deployed more officers at the border and other strategic areas such as Dulibadzimu bus terminus and major highways to flush out criminals and touts. “We have noted that most criminal activities happen during this time of the year as criminals tend to capitalise on an increase in the movement of traffic at the border,” he said.

He urged members of the public and travellers to be alert and report any criminal activities.