News / Africa
Zimbabweans trafficking Malawians to South africa
26 Feb 2016 at 12:56hrs | Views
Zimbabweans at Beitbridge border post in South Africa have been accused of trafficking people including Malawians to South Africa with the aim of robbing them of their money.
Malawi24 could not independently verify the authenticity of the story but according to a message making rounds on Whatsapp, Zimbabwean nationals pretend to help desperate illegal foreign nationals especially those who use the border post to illegally enter into South Africa in order to steal from them.
The message warns illegal immigrants not to use taxis or pickups since the dangerous criminals masquerade as innocent drivers to lure their prey.
"There are a lot of Ndebele and Shona guys with pickup, trucks and Quantum Kombis who are robbing people money and phones. They will kidnap you and demand R3000 after they have taken you to a garage or container in Joburg [sic]," reads part of the message.
The criminals also deceive travellers that they are Tanzanians or Malawians so that people should trust them yet they are nothing but thugs.
"They will say let your relatives or friends deposit money in Shoprite store. If no-one deposits anything they will kill you and sell body parts to Sangomas (traditional healers). Also those who are coming to stock things in Messina there are gangs of conmen and conwomen who pretend to be selling Gold, Diamond and other stuff, they pretend as if they do not know Shona or Ndebele and they say they come from Tanzania or Malawi after that they sweet talk you until you give them all your money [sic]," reads another part of the statement.
Malawi24 could not independently verify the authenticity of the story but according to a message making rounds on Whatsapp, Zimbabwean nationals pretend to help desperate illegal foreign nationals especially those who use the border post to illegally enter into South Africa in order to steal from them.
The message warns illegal immigrants not to use taxis or pickups since the dangerous criminals masquerade as innocent drivers to lure their prey.
"There are a lot of Ndebele and Shona guys with pickup, trucks and Quantum Kombis who are robbing people money and phones. They will kidnap you and demand R3000 after they have taken you to a garage or container in Joburg [sic]," reads part of the message.
The criminals also deceive travellers that they are Tanzanians or Malawians so that people should trust them yet they are nothing but thugs.
"They will say let your relatives or friends deposit money in Shoprite store. If no-one deposits anything they will kill you and sell body parts to Sangomas (traditional healers). Also those who are coming to stock things in Messina there are gangs of conmen and conwomen who pretend to be selling Gold, Diamond and other stuff, they pretend as if they do not know Shona or Ndebele and they say they come from Tanzania or Malawi after that they sweet talk you until you give them all your money [sic]," reads another part of the statement.
Source - Malawi24
