The South African military has alleged that some senior figures in the Zimbabwean military are accepting bribes obtained at the Beitbridge Border obtained from border jumpers.
The usually busy border post has been closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to control the movement of people. Only incoming residents are allowed to enter.
However, it is alleged that thousands of pf people are still crossing into South Africa after paying bribes to officers manning the border.
South Africa Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi who was touring the border post this week was briefed by the country’s military operations that key figures in the Zimbabwean Army are ignoring the rot at the border posts as they are benefitting.
“So you are saying the military command in Zimbabwe knows that their soldiers are taking bribes to let people in and you have told them that but nothing has been done?,” Motsoaledi inquired.
In response, the South African military said: “They pay Zimbabwean soldiers to cross the border.”
Motsoaledi explained the situation obtaining at the border saying: “What we have learnt is that these people come by car from Zimbabwe and it stops on the Zimbabwean side. Whoever does not have documents moves out of the car and the car, then passes through as the driver has got requisite documents.
“After passing through the border they then meet the people who crossed illegally in South Africa. It does not happen very far from the border because they cannot walk a very long distance.”
The porous situation at the border has led to thousands of undocumented crossing into South Africa.
Millions of Zimbabweans are living in South Africa as the situation back home continues to deteriorate.
The recent revocation of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) by South Africa has left thousands of Zimbabweans stranded.
More are desperate to go back to South Africa after spending the festive holidays in Zimbabwe.
South Africa first issued the permits in 2009 under the Dispensation for Zimbabwe Permit (DZP).
More than 240 000 individuals secured permits.
The permits were extended by three years under the Zimbabwe Special Permits (ZSP) upon expiry, to the benefit of about 198 000.
About 180 000 ZEP permits expired on 31st December 2021.
