Beitbridge protests spread to South Africa’s Musina, shootout reported
By Tatenda Dewa
South Africans from the border town of Musina have joined the protests against the Zimbabwean government’s ban on goods from across the border, amid reports that a local bus driver carrying passengers was shot at by police for refusing to turn back to Beitbridge.
Tapiwa Tabheni, the information secretary for the Beitbridge Crossborder Transporters Association, issued a statement indicating that all the shops in Musina had been forced to close while South African citizens had sealed off their border.
The association warned Zimbabweans wishing to travel to postpone their trips until further notice as angry South Africans were threatening violence against them.
The protests have been sparked by government’s ban on basic commodities, building materials and other goods that Zimbabweans have been buying from across the border for daily subsistence and resale.
The ban has affected formal and informal business in both South Africa and Zimbabwe, Tabheni said.
“(A) Zimbabwean bus driver (was) shot by SA police as he was resisting to go back with (Zimbabwean passengers),” read the statement.
“No Zimbabwean (registered car) is allowed to cross the SA border. There is a massive protest from the SA side as the Beitbridge DISPOL (District Police Commander) refused to stamp authority for Zimbabweans to begin their protest at 0300 Hours (on Friday),” said Tabheni.
The driver is reported to be employed by Munenzva Bus Company and it was not clear if he suffered injuries.
He added that police had refused to clear the demonstration after Beitbridge residents met on Wednesday to protest against the ban and seizure of their goods, a development that he said had severely affected household income in the border town where most families depended on crossborder trade.
The association organised buses to ferry protesters from Dulibadzimu to the border post, urging them to carry their passports as they were likely to picket at the Musina port of exit as well.
Reports indicate that taxi operators from Musina had joined the demonstrations and cargo trucks were ferrying protesters to the border.
The South African and Zimbabwean picketers from Musina carried placards inscribed “Mugabe must go”.
Said one Zimbabwean traveller: “South Africans are serious. They have blocked the border and are threatening to burn any vehicle that is going to Musina. They are actually looking for Zimbabwean trucks to use as examples.”
He added: “They have brought with them Indian shop owners (who dominate retail trade in Musina) and are led by the Musina Meter Taxi Association. They are demanding the lifting of the ban on groceries. The situation is tense.”
Said another source: “South African citizens are remarking that they want to burn at least one Zimbabwean so that the Zimbabwean minister who put the ban in place reverses his decision.”
Zimbabwean and South African police and border authorities could not be immediately contacted for comments. Nehanda Radio
