11 drown in the Limpopo as Zimbabweans flood into South Africa

By Tererai Karimakwenda
18 January 2006

A flooded Limpopo River is reported to have claimed the lives of at least 11 Zimbabwean border jumpers on Monday. It is feared the victims were swept away in the crocodile infested river as they attempted to swim to South Africa from Zimbabwe. But Mbiko Moyo, a paralegal with the Zimbabwe Torture Victims Survivors Project in South Africa, told us some dams were opened after the recent heavy rains, and this flooded the Limpopo. The exact number who died has varied from 11 to 15 according to different reports. The AFP news agency on Wednesday reported that Madzudzo Pawadyira, director of Zimbabwe's civil protection unit, said a team had been sent to try to recover the bodies. Pawadyira also said that illegal migrants often join hands and work in teams to wade across the Limpopo River.
Mbiko Moyo of the ZTVP said many illegal immigrants are still being returned to Zimbabwe daily. He told us of reports from an eyewitness on a city to city bus who alleged that 6 passengers from Zimbabwe were caught and had their papers torn by immigration officials who said the papers were obtained fraudulently. This proved to be incorrect, as their fingerprints were later verified by computers in the immigration system. There is also a roadblock just after the border where many Zimbabweans are being caught and returned immediately.
As for the new centre at Beitbridge border post that is supposed to help processing applications for asylum seekers, Moyo said he was a bit sceptical and doubtful about its relevance to those truly in need. Moyo believes the centre will help those who have access to visas in Zimbabwe and connections to the ruling party. He said the poor will continue to face difficulties as always and attempt to cross illegally. The centre, run jointly by South Africa and Zimbabwe, was to be opened last week. We have not been able to verify this yet.
Zimbabwe's economic crisis has continued to deteriorate and many of the unemployed flee to neighbouring countries in search of opportunities to help their families. South Africa is the country of choice for them, followed by Botswana and Mozambique. The UK Daily Telegraph on Tuesday referred to the trade between Zimbabwe and South Africa as a lifeline, with which the World Food Programme and other international aid agencies have no involvement. The desperately needed supplies that they send home go straight into the hands of those who need them, avoiding the corrupt, official channels established by the Mugabe regime.