Smuggling is rife along the Beitbridge border post, with Zimbabweans regularly crossing into South Africa to purchase foodstuffs.
Despite a 40km fence being erected along the border at a cost of R37m in April, Zimbabwean smugglers still regularly cross the border.
A dire food security situation in Zimbabwe has left people crossing the limpopo river to smuggle food.
Food smugglers cross the border numerous times daily, in exchange for money.
“In Zimbabwe 2 kgs of sugar costs R50. 12.5 kgs of mealie meal costs R150,” an anonymous smuggler said.
South Africa is currently in a nationwide lockdown, implemented in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus. All of the country’s borders are closed.
Before the lockdown, Zimbabweans could cross the Beitbridge border post to purchase food in Musina.
Public works and infrastructure minister Patricia De Lille will be inspecting the fence on April 28 2020.
