Zimbabwe deploys drones on the border with Mozambique
The fleet, launched last month, will serve as a deterrent to smuggling across Zimbabwe’s eastern border
The government of Zimbabwe has deployed a fleet of drones to improve law enforcement along the country’s eastern border with Mozambique.
The drones, operational since 1 May, are primarily being used to monitor smuggling efforts along the border, with a focus on key hotspots such as the Forbes Border Post, which connects Zimbabwe’s Manicaland Province to Mozambique’s Manica Province.
In a statement reported by state-owned newspaper The Herald, Misheck Mugadza, the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, said that there had been a “notable decline” in smuggling cases since the fleet’s launch.
He added that the drones would serve as both an aid to identifying illegal activity, and a potential deterrent.
The uncrewed aircraft feature facial recognition systems that will enhance the efficiency of operations further.
Zimbabwe’s national air ambulance service recently announced plans to open a new base at Victoria Falls.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca was a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.