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Zimbabwe has taken a significant leap in modern border control, turning to drone technology to fight smuggling along its 700-kilometre border with Mozambique. Since May 1, 2025, unmanned aerial vehicles have been patrolling high-risk zones, particularly around the Forbes Border Post, a known hotspot connecting Zimbabwe’s Manicaland Province to Mozambique’s Manica Province. The move marks a shift in the country’s approach to border security, blending surveillance technology with traditional enforcement strategies — and early signs suggest it’s working.
“We have seen a notable decline in smuggling cases,” said Advocate Misheck Mugadza, Zimbabwe’s Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution. “Our security forces are vigilant and on top of the situation, thanks to the added surveillance capabilities provided by the drones. They are also serving as a deterrent and helping to identify individuals involved in illegal activities.” Mugadza’s confidence is supported by law enforcement data showing an uptick in smuggling-related arrests, though police say official figures are still being compiled.
Adrian Swarres, Acting Commissioner for Customs and Excise at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), praised the technology’s ability to extend surveillance reach while reducing manpower needs. “Drones offer rapid deployment and real-time intelligence,” Swarres explained. “With a borderline of over 700 kilometres, drones have dramatically increased the area under surveillance and reduced the need for extensive ground patrols.” These machines now serve as a digital net, watching over terrain where foot patrols once struggled to cover ground.
Still, authorities aren’t relying on technology alone. A recent sting operation led to a fatal shootout with suspected smugglers. Three arrests were made, and vehicles loaded with contraband — including bales of clothing and shoes worth thousands of dollars were seized. These high-stakes encounters show that the human element in enforcement remains critical, even as machines handle surveillance.
The fight against smuggling is also being supported by broader infrastructure development. During a visit to the Forbes Border Post, Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, revealed plans to redevelop the facility through a public-private partnership. “We have concessioned the redevelopment of Forbes Border Post to private investors who have demonstrated their capabilities at Beitbridge. We expect a modern and efficient facility,” Ncube said. The goal is to align border control infrastructure with the digital tools now in use.
As part of this modernization, Zimbabwe is rolling out an integrated border management system linking civil registry, police, and immigration departments. Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe announced that most hardware is already in place, with e-gates and facial recognition technology soon to be activated. “The system includes facial recognition technology and online automation to cut queues and reduce human error,” he said during a tour of the immigration department at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
Authorities are also planning to open new formal entry points at Honde Valley and Cashel Valley to help decongest the Forbes Border Post, a move that would distribute border traffic more evenly and reduce the pressure on single facilities.
Zimbabwe’s adoption of drone surveillance and smart border technology represents more than a crackdown on smuggling. It is a broader statement about the country’s direction — toward a future where innovation underpins governance, security, and economic development. In a region long plagued by porous borders and illicit trade, Zimbabwe is showing that with the right technology, even the most persistent challenges can be brought into focus — and brought under control.
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