Beitbridge Protests Shootout Report Released

Many South Africans from the border town of Musina have joined the protests against the Zimbabwean government’s ban on goods from across the border, it is said that a local bus driver carrying passengers was reportedly shot by police for refusing to turn back to Beitbridge.

The information secretary for the Beitbridge Crossborder Transporters Association,Tapiwa Tabheni  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,  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.

”A Zimbabwean bus driver was shot by SA police as he was resisting to go back with Zimbabwean passengers, 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 Tapiwa.

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 organized 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.

Taxi operators from Musina had allegedly joined the demonstrations and cargo trucks were ferrying protesters to the border,  South Africans 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.