Bus operators fined heavily for ferrying illegal m...

Bus operators fined heavily for ferrying illegal migrants into SA

Zim Now Writer

Tightened security on the South African side of the Beitbridge Border Post has caught out cross border bus operators ferrying illegal Malawian migrants.

Bus crews told Zim Now that at least two operators have been made to pay hefty fines with other being processed.

“XXX (named) paid R285 000.00 for 19 zikwanjes (Malawians) who were caught on a bus and they blocked the whole fleet until it was paid. Yesterday. XXXX (named) paid R1.4m again and we left more buses from different companies also impounded awaiting payment,” a member of a bus crew told Zim Now.

https://zimbabwenow.co.zw/articles/413/550-malawians-stuck-in-zimbabwean-jails

The source said some buses had made emergency stops along the highway to Beitbridge to disembark all passengers without requisite documentation.

Zimbabwe is currently imprisoning about 550 Malawi nationals caught while in transit en route to South Africa.

South Africa’s commissioner of the Border Management Authority, Dr. Mike Masiapat is leading the sting operation at the Beitbridge Border Post to monitor the return of travellers as well as to curb the illegal movement of goods.

In the first few days of the post festive season travel peak at least 200 people have been denied into South Africa over because they did not have the proper documents

In December, the Border Management Authority stopped nearly 44 000 people trying to enter South Africa illegally. And arrested over 2 000 people for various crimes and seized stolen vehicles and drugs.

Another source said that bus crews normally assist Zimbabweans who reside in South Africa or move between the two countries and do not have passports as well as other nationalities crossing into the country.

“We have been using a system whereby the bus crews just pays immigration officials and passengers just get through. It was both sides of the border.

“Besides Zimbabweans, we also carry Malawians,” a bus conductor said.

The South African health authorities have also said they are on high alert and have effected screening procedures for Cholera as cases spike in neighbouring countries.

"Working together with stakeholders like border management authority, we have intensified health screening services and health education at the land ports of entry to mitigate against the cross-border transmission of the disease," said Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale.