HARARE - It is one year since the Global Political Agreement was signed, but life in Zimbabwe has not changed for the better. (Pictured: Zimbabwean immigrants wade the crocodile-infested waters of the Limpopo to enter South Africa)Unemployment is still rampant and service delivery is extremely poor, resulting in scores of people jostling to the Registry offices for documents that may enable them to escape the prevailing harsh economic conditions.
My sister Precious, who is a teacher by profession and fled to Cape Town to find work, came home recently so that her boyfriend could pay lobola to formalise their marriage.
Armed with only her teaching certificate, Precious crossed the crocodile-infested Limpopo River into South Africa without any travelling documents in 2008. She ended up in Cape Town where she is currently employed as a domestic worker.
“I am glad that I have managed to buy myself a 4-plate stove, an upright Samsung refrigerator, a 3CD Hi-fi and a therapaedic double-bed which Edward, who is a headmaster, said Precious.
Professionals including teachers, nurses, doctors and artisans have fled to neighbouring countries where they get remuneration that is commensurate with their knowledge, skills and expertise.
“I no longer want to travel back to South Africa without proper and valid travelling documents because I am now tired of living in perpetual fear of being deported back to Zimbabwe,” said Precious.
My sister wakes up at 4am on a Monday morning to go to Makombe Building to obtain an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). She boards a kombi because she wants to be the first one in the long and winding queue.
“Good morning madam, a sickly woman in the queue greeted her. I stay in Botswana where I sell groundnuts cow-peas. I have been here since last Wednesday but have not been able to obtain my ETD.
Her mind goes in circles as she ponders how a mere ETD can take someone more than five days to get. At 8am an officer at the registry office emerged and started calling out names to signal the positions which the people were to occupy in the queue. Precious ended up at Number 105 because she didnt know any officers.
The official price of an ETD is US$38 but she ended up paying US$70 three days later after bribing a registry officer.
Post published in: Politics