A Beitbridge man from Makakhavhule area in Ward 6 collapsed and died soon after sneaking into the country from Musina, South Africa.
The man’s death has thrown the who village into panic as they suspect that he succumbed to COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus. He complained of chest pains before his sudden death.
Reports suggest that the man had been staying in South Africa for the last three weeks until his return on Thursday evening after paddling across the Limpopo River. The Herald quotes its source as saying:
He arrived around 9 pm and was ferried from the crossing point with eight other border jumpers by a local transporter.
Upon arrival at his house at Makakhavhule Primary school, he started complaining of chest pains.
His relative then notified health authorities who upon arrival found him already dead.
The matter was referred to the Covid-19 Taskforce for further management.
Beitbridge District Civil Protection Unit chairperson, Sikhangazile Mafu-Moyo, who also leads the local COVID-19 taskforce, confirmed the incident saying health officials were investigating the death.
Illegal crossings across the Zimbabwe-South Africa border have become rampant since the closure of Beitbridge Border Post earlier this year to combat the spread of coronavirus.
People cross the border illegally through River Ranch, Tshivhara, Panda Mine, Mai Maria, Gate 2, and Musetshe area.
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