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'Border Jumping' Rife As Schools Re-Open

With Zimbabwean borders still closed omalayitsha are using illegal entry points to smuggle people and goods. Graphic by The Citizen Bulletin


BY NQOBILE BHEBHE | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | MAR 19, 2021

When schools did not re-open at the beginning of the year most pupils who had left the country for the holidays did not return. Now borders remain closed and schools have re-opened. For some using the legal route to return poses challenges, they would rather avoid.


BEITBRIDGE (The Citizen Bulletin) — The phased re-opening of schools brought joy to Siphosethu Ndlovu, aged 37, whose daughter begins her secondary education on Monday. Ndlovu of Makutula village in Tsholotsho says her happiness was short-lived as her daughter Sihle was in Pretoria, South Africa when the government announced schools’ reopening dates.

“I was caught off-guard. I guess every parent was eagerly waiting for the Government to announce dates for the re-opening of schools,” Ndlovu says as she narrates how she desperately sought the services of Omalayitsha to transport her daughter to the country using illegal cross border points as land borders remain closed.

Sihle has been enrolled to study at Magama Secondary School in Tsholotsho.

Under the phased re-opening of schools, final year students began lessons on March 15, with the rest commencing studies on March 22.


“My joy was short-lived as Sihle was in Pretoria, South Africa. She legally went soon after her grade seven examinations.”
Siphosethu Ndlovu, a parent


South Africa, the continent's hardest-hit country by COVID-19, re-opened its land borders in mid-February.

Zimbabwean borders, however, remain closed to non-essential business movements.

Only commercial cargo, light commercial trucks, bodies for funerals and diplomats on government business are allowed passage. This has presented a challenge for scores of students such as Sihle, who had travelled to the neighbouring country because of the prolonged closure of schools.

Omalayitsha, who ply the Zimbabwe-South Africa route assisting border jumpers, are viewed as dependable but risky options for desperate travellers.

Umalayitsha


In a recent report, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), while identifying Beitbridge Border Post as the only official entry point between Zimbabwe and South Africa, said “about 22 informal points of entry, which are dotted along the 200-kilometre borderline between the two countries” exist.

The illegal entry points are routes used by omalayitsha for the smuggling of persons and goods, their main business line.

However, using these routes is risky as it attracts criminals, from rapists, muggers and murderers.

“I paid a local driver R1500 for Sihle to cross into Zimbabwe through an illegal cross point,” she says, hesitant to reveal the entry point.

“Sihle legally crossed to South Africa hoping she would again use legal channels when school opening dates are announced. However, the Beitbridge border post is still closed. I could not afford to fly her in.”

“Added to that, I would not have afforded to foot COVID-19 mandatory tests, so omalayitsha was the only way out.

“She was delivered at my homestead since the driver is a local person.”

A COVID-19 negative certificate is required upon entry to the country to avoid mandatory 14-day quarantine or isolation to prevent the virus’ spread.

While Sihle safely made her journey back home, the fact that she did not do a COVID-19 test puts her, friends, family and classmates at risk of exposure.


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In 2020, reports said nearly 200 learners at John Tallach Secondary school in Matabeleland North tested positive for COVID-19 amid reports that they had come into contact with a student who had travelled to South Africa.

Amid public concern of a COVID-19 third wave, Sihle’s mother says her only fear was her daughter being robbed or arrested. “I feared for her safety because there are a lot of muggers who rob people of their money, clothes and if you refuse, they don’t hesitate to kill you,” she said.

Sihle’s transporter, who identified himself as Joshua, says the human trafficking business is “booming”.

“Some of us are happy that the border post is still closed save for commercial trucks. This has made our services to be in high demand.”


“Most of my clients have been of school-going age, and they need to cross to Zimbabwe to prepare for school. Out of 18 passengers, ten will be students.”
Joshua, a malayitsha who ply the Zimbabwe-South Africa route


Just like Sihle’s mother, Joshua refused to disclose the illegal entry point he used.

Border patrols and the South African fence appear to be ineffective at hindering border jumping. Image by AP


In its findings, the IOM says there are high chances that activities at informal ports of entry and nearby congregation areas may increase cross-border COVID-19 infections between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“The factors that contribute to increased COVID-19 transmission within unofficial points of entry include lack of COVID-19 screening mechanisms, no sanitation, lack of water sources and lack of personal protection equipment (PPE) including masks.”

“The presence of irregular migrants also means that COVID-19 and other health services may not be available for such populations, including the presence of COVID-19 screening and referral mechanisms in place for those who cross irregularly,” reads the report in part.

In late 2020, several boarding schools in Matabeleland South recorded many learners who tested positive for COVID 19.

The affected boarding schools were placed under quarantine, with no one allowed to enter or leave.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena says using illegal crossing points is still a crime.

“We are always on the lookout for border jumpers. Police will not hesitate to arrest anyone caught on the wrong side of the law. We appeal to people to use legal border posts”.


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