Zimbabweans continue flocking to SA

Despite renewed anti-immigrant disturbances in parts of South Africa that have displaced thousands of foreign nationals and prompted repatriation efforts by several countries, Zimbabweans continue travelling south for business, with cross-border trade showing little sign of slowing down.

At Bulawayo's long-distance bus termini on Thursday, buses departed for South Africa as scheduled, carrying cross-border traders and other passengers.

Bus operators said demand for transport services had remained steady despite the unrest, attributing this to the fact that most travellers possess valid travel documents and cross the border legally.

Fares have also remained unchanged, with most operators charging US$30 or R500 for a one-way trip to Johannesburg.

"We have never been affected by the recent disturbances in South Africa. People are still coming to book transport to various destinations in South Africa.

"They have their passports and we do not deal with undocumented travellers," said one bus operator, who declined to be named.

At the busy intersection of Sixth Avenue and George Silundika Street, where several buses depart daily for South Africa, marshals continued calling for passengers while travellers queued to board, suggesting that cross-border movement remains largely uninterrupted.

Cross-border trader Dingani Tshuma said he was not discouraged by the unrest because he travels legally.

"I am a cross-border trader and this is my source of livelihood. I cannot be stopped by vigilantes in South Africa.

"I have valid travel documents and I will be in South Africa legally to conduct my business. South Africa also benefits from my visit because I pay for accommodation, buy food and purchase merchandise for resale," he said.

Another trader, Martha Tshuma, said she would continue travelling to South Africa to collect goods she had purchased on lay-by.

"I buy goods in South Africa on lay-by and resell them here in Bulawayo. We are not worried because we are travelling strictly for business. I have a valid passport and I use legal border posts, so I see no reason to fear travelling to South Africa," she said.

Courier operator Cleopas Ncube, popularly known in the cross-border transport business as omalayitsha, said regional trade would continue despite the tensions.

"I have been operating this business for 15 years and I will continue. Trade between our countries should not stop because of these disturbances. Many documented foreign nationals rely on us to transport goods to their relatives back home.

"I have all the required documents, my vehicle is South African-registered and I use the necessary temporary permits to transport parcels between the two countries," he said.

Most travellers interviewed said they were visiting South Africa temporarily to buy merchandise and conduct business rather than to settle there illegally, adding that they complied with all immigration requirements.

A few traders, however, said they had opted to use courier services instead of travelling themselves due to safety concerns.

The latest anti-immigrant disturbances in South Africa have largely targeted foreign nationals from countries including Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Nigeria, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Eswatini. Reports have included allegations of forced evictions, intimidation and demands for undocumented migrants to leave certain communities.

The South African government has repeatedly maintained that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies and not private individuals or community groups, warning against vigilantism and unlawful actions targeting foreign nationals.

Authorities have also processed thousands of foreign nationals for voluntary repatriation, while governments across the region continue monitoring the situation and providing assistance to affected citizens.

Despite the unrest, cross-border traders say the longstanding economic ties between Zimbabwe and South Africa remain strong, with thousands of Zimbabweans continuing to depend on cross-border commerce to sustain their livelihoods.