• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Africa

Illegal movement intensifies at Beitbridge Border as hundreds of people cross into SA

6 August 2020, 6:42 PM  |
Rudzani Tshivhase Rudzani Tshivhase |  @SABCNews
[File image] Foreign nationals crossing from Zimbabwe to South Africa.

[File image] Foreign nationals crossing from Zimbabwe to South Africa.

Image: Twitter: @RTshivase

[File image] Foreign nationals crossing from Zimbabwe to South Africa.

The illegal movement of undocumented foreign nationals known as ‘border jumpers’ is worsening around the Beitbridge Border between South Africa and Zimbabwe. This comes amid a crackdown by Harare on dissidents.

Hundreds of people cross illegally into South Africa daily to get to Musina and elsewhere.

Police and soldiers are seemingly unable to control them as they make their way through the recently constructed R37 million border fence.

Soldiers tried to stop the SABC News crew from reporting about activities of illegal movement of people along the border fence. Hundreds of undocumented Zimbabwean nationals cross the border into South Africa daily.

They illegally jump the borderline fence, walk through the bush to the N1 to get transport to Musina town and elsewhere. Later on in the afternoon, they walk back carrying goods including groceries, using the same route back into Zimbabwe.

They do that during the day under the watchful eye of the police and soldiers who cannot control the influx. The undocumented foreign nationals say they cross the border illegally as the economic situation back home is bad.

 

Atleast 41 unaccompanied minors from Zumbabwe have been taken to a place of safety by social workers around Musina and the Beitbridge birder since the start of the lockdown in Limpopi. The number of Zimbabwean nationals who are illegally flocking inyo SA is increasing pic.twitter.com/7y90xw3pbV

— rudzani tshivhase (@RTshivhase) August 6, 2020

Situation difficult in Zimbabwe 

A Zimbabwean national whom the SABC crew met in the bush says things are difficult.

“As people, it is tough for us to survive because at home we are hungry. If things were better we would not be here. We don’t want to interfere with the police when they chase us because they are right. In other words, they are protecting us from the criminals in the jungle. The main point is that things at home are tough,” he says.

The Zimbabwean nationals – who are illegally crossing along the Beitbridge borderline into the country to buy food have thanked the soldiers and police patrolling the borderline for not stopping them. They say that law enforcement officers allow them free passage.

“The SAPS … we don’t have problems with them, but the main problem is our Zimbabwean soldiers and police. They are demanding large amounts for us to come to South Africa.”

The Health and Social Development departments say that the high number of people flocking into the small border town of Musina is putting a strain on government services. Some women and children from Zimbabwe are often seen wandering in the streets begging for food and money.

Social Development Spokesperson Witness Tiva says 41 unaccompanied minors were picked up in the streets and are being kept at a private place of safety in Musina.

“We also work with the Department of Home Affairs for further processing of unaccompanied minors, upon identification of unaccompanied minors the referral is sent to social workers for assessment and temporary placement. The number of children placed at the shelter is 41,” says Tiva.

The police’s Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo says alcohol and illicit cigarettes worth millions of rands have been confiscated in the area since the start of the lockdown.

Share article
Tags: LimpopoZimbabweImmigrantsBeitbridge boarder
Previous Post

Government has until Friday to file its response to FITA’s application

Next Post

Cabinet calls for action against corruption in government

Related Posts

Students and supporters of Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko clash with with security forces, after Sonko was sentenced to prison in Dakar, Senegal June 1, 2023. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Deadly protests rock Senegal as opposition leader sentenced to jail

2 June 2023, 6:06 AM
Zimbabweans with the country's flag

‘Money for Zim elections should be channeled to the poor’

1 June 2023, 6:56 PM
Medication and a syringe for illustration purposes

Tunisia’s financial crisis leaves the sick struggling to find medicine

1 June 2023, 5:52 PM
Ugandan President   Yoweri Museveni

Museveni says Uganda won’t be swayed after anti-LGBTQ law triggers aid cut threats

1 June 2023, 12:46 PM
A petrol and motorist seen at a Nigerian fuel station

Nigeria to hike fuel prices to almost R24 litre from R10

31 May 2023, 3:31 PM
Sudan's General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan stands among troops,in an unknown location

Sudanese army suspends ceasefire talks, diplomatic source says

31 May 2023, 12:30 PM
Next Post
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola will head the ministerial committee.

Cabinet calls for action against corruption in government

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Deadline for Zimbabwean Exemption Permits draws near
  • Durban’s N2 road, Spaghetti Junction closed due to cleanup operations
  • DENOSA defends nurses for placing newborns in boxes
  • Limpopo teacher writes a book which simplifies Maths
  • Limpopo healthcare set to get massive boost with multi-billion rand hospital
  • Dr Nandipha’s looks during court appearances under the spotlight
  • Experts raise caution over Prime energy drink craze
  • Reserve Bank expected to increase repo rate on Thursday
  • Deadline for Zimbabwean Exemption Permits draws near
  • Zimbabwe receives 18 helicopters from Russian Federation
  • Weather Service warns of disruptive rainfall in parts of KZN
  • Mabuyane taking President, SIU and University of Fort Hare to court
  • Speaker dismissed me when I requested a meeting: Mkhwebane
  • SIU to defend Mabuyane’s application in Fort Hare matter: Kganyago
  • Magudumana was in Tanzania illegally, argues police representative in court

LATEST

An Uber logo is shown on a vehicle.
  • South Africa

Soweto e-hailing drivers fearing for their lives


A police tape cordons off a crime scene.
  • South Africa

Body of a man discovered in Macassar outside Cape Town


File Image: SAMWU workers during strike action.
  • South Africa

SAMWU Free State workers vow not to return to work until salaries are paid


Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane speaks during the Eastern Cape Disability Rights Machinery (ECDRM) at the Mandla Makhupula Leadership Institute on 01 June 2023.
  • Politics

Eastern Cape ActionSA raises eyebrows over qualifications of senior officials


Officials of the Ditsobotla Local Municipality are seen assisting community members with applications for the registration of free basic services on 16 December 2021 as the municipality marked National Reconciliation Day.
  • Politics

DA’s Ronald Matlholoa elected Ditsobotla Municipality acting speaker


Two workers on a rooftop installing solar panels.
  • Business

Presidential Climate Commission highlights urgency of renewable energy


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous Government has until Friday to file its response to FITA’s application
Next Cabinet calls for action against corruption in government