A group of 82 Ethiopian citizens were apprehended in Manica, central Mozambique, on Sunday morning for unlawfully entering the country, as disclosed by a police source on Monday.
The individuals, lacking proper documentation, were discovered with intentions to cross into Zimbabwe before proceeding to South Africa. The group was found in a cargo truck, emphasising the clandestine nature of their journey.
Mateus Mindú, the spokesman for the Manica police, revealed that the detained individuals, aged between 14 and 45, aimed to traverse Zimbabwe, which shares a border with Manica province, en route to South Africa.
Mindú underscored the absence of documents among the group and confirmed that the repatriation process for the 82 Ethiopians was already in progress, although no specific timeline was provided.
Mozambican authorities highlight the prevalent issue of illegal border crossings, often facilitated by guides or traffickers. These individuals charge substantial fees to transport foreigners, typically in cargo vehicles, with the destination primarily set for South Africa.