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More than 20 000 immigrants cross from South Africa into Zimbabwe at the Beitbridge Border Post

Published

2 years ago

December 26, 2022

BY MICHAEL MAKUNGO

The Border Management Authority says more than 20 000 immigrants have crossed from South Africa into Zimbabwe at the Beitbridge Border Post in Musina, Limpopo, in the last 24 hours.

The port of entry in Musina is one of the busiest in processing travellers since the festive season started.

BMA senior officials were monitoring the implementation of border law enforcement festivities at the port of entry.

As usual during the festive season, immigrants from various countries, mainly Zimbabwean nationals, cross in numbers at the busiest port of entry, Beitbridge border post in Musina.

Unlike in the past years, they are not spending nights on the queue before being processed.

More than 20 000 immigrants have been processed travelling towards Zimbabwe between Friday and Saturday afternoon.

BMA commissioner Dr Mike Masiapato says the Beitbridge Border Post is experiencing a higher number of people crossing than other ports of entry.

“Inside the port, all the processes are up and running in terms of the ICT or the computers. We always have challenges here during load shedding the system is always going down.

This time we make sure that we have experts on the ground, so the capacity is here, additional capacity. I can indicate that the average we are able to process over a period is about 15 000.

Last, we have processed over 14 000 and up to this point we processed over 8 000 trucks. We processed about 600 on a 24-hour basis,” said Dr Masiapato.

People who are crossing to the Zimbabwean side at Beitbridge Border Post have applauded border officials for improving services. Some say they are hoping to arrive home in time.

“The service at the border, I just arrived now but it’s moving. I hope we are going to reach home in time. The service is just normal.

The system doesn’t change if the queue is moving but people are too much but remain with the same counter that is being used. Me, I would clap for immigration because there is no queue. These guys are well organised. It is moving 100%; I give them a clap,” he adds.

Meanwhile, traffic was heavily congested on the N1 road between Musina and the border post.

Some of the motorists expressed frustrations.

He has further added that, “The traffic is bad sir. The traffic is so heavy. One thing I like is moving but it is so bad. I don’t know why it’s blocked. They should have opened so that everyone must be cleared. I’m feeling bad and the weather is too hot. I don’t see what is happening that is bad and hot.”

Beitbridge Border Post is one of the few operating 24 hours -SABC News

In the community

Hwange police seek public’s help in locating missing teen

Published

2 weeks ago

May 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Hwange police are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old Latoya Lisa Munkuli, who went missing on May 7, this month.

Latoya, a dark-complexioned female juvenile, was last seen leaving her residence in Hwange around 4 pm.

She was wearing a distinctive outfit consisting of green trousers and a white T-shirt, and carried a black satchel. She stands approximately 1.6 meters tall.

Inspector Glory Banda of the Hwange police is leading the investigation and urges anyone with information about Latoya’s whereabouts to come forward.

If you have any information about Latoya’s disappearance, please contact Inspector Banda on 0785961747 or 0771256607.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.

In the community

Human-wildlife conflict claims 18 lives in Zimbabwe’s first quarter

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has reported a disturbing trend of human-wildlife conflict in the country’s first quarter of 2025. According to the authority, 18 people have lost their lives, and 32 others have been injured in encounters with wildlife.

ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo revealed that the authority received 579 cases of human-wildlife conflict, which they managed to respond to promptly. The incidents have also resulted in significant livestock losses, with at least 53 cattle and 85 goats killed by wildlife.

The districts most affected by these incidents include Binga, Hwange, Kariba, Chiredzi, Hurungwe, Nyaminyami, and Mbire. ZimParks has been working tirelessly to raise awareness about wildlife behaviors and effective preventive measures in these areas.

In response to the crisis, ZimParks has translocated 129 animals back into protected areas and eliminated 158 animals deemed problematic.

“We encourage communities to continue reporting incidents to ZimParks Problem Animal Control numbers and local leadership, such as Councillors, Traditional Leaders, and Rural District Council Authorities, to ensure that we preserve lives,” Farawo urged.

The significant increase in livestock losses, with cattle deaths rising from 18 to 53 and goat deaths from 21 to 85 compared to the same period in 2024, highlights the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe.

ZimParks’ efforts to mitigate the conflict include community initiatives to educate people on managing wildlife encounters effectively.