Zimbabwe Clarifies On Opening Beitbridge Border
Zimbabwe has said it decided to keep the Beitbridge Border closed because of the obtaining situation in the counctry although returning citizens and those going out are still allowed to.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said Zimbabwe does not follow what South Africa does when it comes to the reopening of the Beitbridge border post to general travellers.
Kazembe told legislators that the government make decisions regarding the coronavirus based on the situation on the ground rather than on what neighbouring countries are doing.
Kazembe was responding to a question from MP Priscilla Misihairambwi Mushonga in Parliament, on government’s position on the opening of the Beitbridge Border Post given that South Africa has opened their side. Said Kazembe:
As a Government when we make decisions with regards to COVID-19, the decisions are informed by the situation obtaining in the country not necessarily what happens in other countries but I know where the Honourable Member is coming from because obviously, the border will affect us if the other side is open.
If you look closely at the Statutory Instrument our borders are not closed as such. Our returning citizens are allowed to come back and that has always been the case.
Those who are going out, depending on whether they meet the requirements of the receiving country, they are still allowed to go.
South Africa reopened its borders, including Beitbridge on 15 February, while Zimbabwe’s borders have remained closed for ordinary travellers and this had caused confusion.
