(Last Updated on January 3, 2021 by GERALD NCUBE)
BEITBRIDGE – The South African government has engaged the army to help in the crackdown of Zimbabweans who usually risk their lives by illegally crossing through the crocodile-infested Limpopo river in search for greener pastures, eNCA reports.
Reports say the SANDF will be deploying helicopters to hover around the river while the police will be in boats.
This deployment comes as South Africa prepares for the influx of foreigners, especially from Zimbabwe who cross the border in search of better economic conditions.
Most Zimbabweans usually cross the border to the neighbouring country through undesignated entry points due to failure to have passports which are a challenge to access in Zimbabwe.
However, the situation has been exacerbated by the global Covid-19 pandemic which has made it mandatory for one to produce a Covid-19 free certificate at entry points.
Some cannot afford to get these certificates which has strengthened their resolve to use illegal means thus leading to an increase of fake certificates being produced.
South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said all those who will be caught will be deported back to Zimbabwe.
“We have given an instruction, that person must be returned he is a fraudster. You can’t just come with a fraudulent document and they look at it and smile and say it’s fraudulent, let’s test you again. It can’t happen that way. The person who wants to enter our country with a fraudulent document is undermining our sovereignty,” said Motsoaledi.