JOHANNESBURG - South Africa and Zimbabwe border officials are stepping up efforts to tackle the growing concern of trafficking undocumented minors.
This month alone, more than 50 children were intercepted at the Beitbridge border post travelling without parents or guardians.
Authorities warn that those facilitating the journeys and the negligent parents could face serious legal consequences.
READ | SA, Zimbabwe to meet over surge in undocumented children at Beitbridge
Border Management Authority Commissioner Michael Masiapato said they have agreed that adults found to be smuggling children in the two countries will get arrested and face the full might of the law.
"We want to make sure parents are aware that transporting children in between the two countries without documentation is a criminal activity. From a negligent point of view, they will also face the full might of the law,” Masiapato warned.
He said they had also received compliance from bus companies around the movement of undocumented children. Masiapato said they would also be speaking to taxi industry officials.