The number of Zimbabweans travelling to South African to seek better opportunities has almost always been on a constant rise. Their hardworking nature has been known to land a large amount of them jobs which some South African felt were theirs by virtue of them being South African. These feelings have always been known to cause tension between the two nationalities so no doubt that the South African government’s increased efforts in stopping Zimbabweans from crossing the border might be received joyously there.
However, this move hasn’t been made as a result of fear of Zimbabweans taking jobs but more so as a way to combat the increasing illegal boarder crossing activities. Due to the high unemployment rate in Zimbabwe, many have been surviving as a result of cross boarder trading. However, following the corona virus scare boarders have been closed. This hasn’t stopped cross boarder traders from continuing with their hustle as they continue to travel to South Africa using illegal means.
South Africa’s Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi, provided more insight into the decision to increase security at their boarders. He said:
“South Africa is shortly setting up the Border Management Authority, whose mandate will be to secure the boarders and stem the tide of illegal cross boarder crossings”
The minister showed an awareness of the situation that has been causing this rise in illegal cross boarder activities when he stated that
“We are dealing here with the social and economic systems of our neighbouring countries”
Motsoaledi continued to express that they realise as a nation that a terrible mistake was made when they removed the electric fence and army that surrounded their border in the apartheid era. However, going forward he said they will be adopting technologies such as drones to stop illegal boarder crossing by Zimbabweans and other foreign nations.
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