By Simbarashe Muparaganda
Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – Despite renewed anti-African immigrant disturbances in parts of South Africa that have displaced thousands of foreign nationals and triggered mass repatriation by their respective countries, Zimbabweans continue to travel to the neighbouring country 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 usual, carrying traders and other passengers.
Bus operators said the recent unrest had not affected demand for their transport services to South Africa, as most of the travellers were had valid travel documents, unlike those being ejected.
The fares have remained unchanged, with most bus operators still 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 to South Africa depart, marshals continued soliciting passengers while travellers queued to board buses, an indication that cross-border movement remained largely uninterrupted.
A local cross-border trader, Dingani Tshuma, said he was not deterred by the unrest because he travelled 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 purchases 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, arguing that they complied with immigration requirements.
A few traders, however, said they would use courier services instead for safety reasons.
The latest anti-immigrant disturbances in South Africa have largely targeted foreign nationals from countries including Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Nigeria, Ghana, DRC and Eswatini, with reports of forced evictions, intimidation and demands for undocumented migrants to leave certain communities.
The South African government has repeatedly stated that immigration enforcement was the responsibility of law enforcement agencies and not private individuals or community groups, warning against vigilantism and unlawful actions targeting foreign nationals.
Meanwhile, authorities in South Africa have processed thousands of foreign nationals for voluntary repatriation, while governments in the region continue monitoring the situation and providing assistance to affected citizens.
Despite the tensions, cross-border traders say the economic ties between Zimbabwe and South Africa remain strong, with thousands of Zimbabweans relying on this to sustain their livelihoods.
New Ziana
