N1 a crime hot spot (21-12-06)

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MUSINA – Illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe are being harassed by police, soldiers and thugs at Musina as unemployment and economic hardships skyrocket daily.

South African police spokesperson Sipho Chauke said many Zimbabweans are robbed, beaten or even murdered as they flock to South Africa for greener pastures.

Musina residents say the N1 highway has become a crime hotspot for criminals who ambush and rob illegal immigrants in transit to Johannesburg.

Illegal immigrants are often smuggled into the country on board heavy trucks transporting goods to Gauteng, South Africa’s most vibrant economic centre. Truck drivers normally charge anything between R60 to R70 for the trip from Musina to Johannesburg, which is considerably cheaper transport than any other. Many of these immigrants are either robbed by thugs or arrested by soldiers and police.

Police spokesperson Sipho Chauke say police and soldiers arrest at least a thousand illegal immigrants every day and deport them – but to no avail, as they again try to enter the country the very next day. The economic hardship in Zimbabwe has escalated to such alarming levels that people will risk anything to escape and look for employment elsewhere.

Residents say immigrants pay soldiers and police large sums of money to gain entry out of sheer desperation for better life.

“It is painful to see what often happens to these poor people. Instead of being helped, they are being robbed of their meagre possessions. They deserve to be treated better,” said Rhoda Ndivhuwo, Venda woman staying in the area.

“It is pity that xenophobia causes so much suffering, as these poor people have no other choice,”

Added Chauke: “Zimbabwe which once was the bread basket of Africa now has become an empty basket and there is nothing we can do except to help these poor people.”

According to the South African government, illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe comprise the highest number of people working in dangerous conditions for long hours and for little return because they are so desperate