Staff Reporter| Close Circuit Television Camera number 21 has been the busiest security camera manning the busy Beitbridge Border and has led to the arrest of 15 border control officials since it was strategically installed at the border post in August last year.

Shockingly, camera 21 is now missing. The theft came to light last Saturday when security agents discovered that the key area covered by the camera and used by smugglers and illegal immigrants had gone off the radar. The camera monitors the area around the duty-free shop, a check- point manned 24 hours by customs and immigration department officials, soldiers and the Police Support Unit.

Security around the area was beefed up after discoveries that corrupt border officials were dealing with con-men, touts, smugglers using bicycles and border jumpers to access the border post.

“We suspect the camera was stolen during a power blackout,” said an official. “The suspect(s) are not known yet, but we are certain this was a well-planned job by the criminals. Investigations are in progress and nobody has been arrested yet.”

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele said he was yet to receive information on the case.

“We are yet to get that report and I cannot give you any information at the moment,” he said.