Zimbabweans continue to travel to South Africa for business despite renewed xenophobia in parts of the country that have displaced thousands of foreign nationals and prompted mass repatriations by their respective governments.
At Bulawayo’s long-distance bus termini on Thursday, buses departed for South Africa as usual, carrying traders and other passengers.
Bus operators said the recent unrest had not affected demand for their transport services to South Africa, noting that most travellers held valid travel documents, unlike those being repatriated.
Fares have remained unchanged, with most operators still charging US$30 or R500 for a one-way trip to Johannesburg.
A bus operator, who declined to be named, told New Ziana that it was business as usual.
“We have never been affected by the recent disturbances in South Africa. People are still coming to book transport to various destinations in South Africa,” said the bus operator.
“They have their passports, and we do not deal with undocumented travellers.”
At the busy intersection of Sixth Avenue and George Silundika Street, where several buses to South Africa depart, rank marshals continued to call for passengers while travellers queued to board, indicating that cross-border movement remained largely uninterrupted.
A local cross-border trader, Dingani Tshuma, said he was not deterred by the unrest because he travels legally.
“I am a cross-border trader, and this is my source of livelihood. I cannot be stopped by vigilantes in South Africa,” Tshuma said.
“I have valid travel documents, and I will be in South Africa legally to conduct my business.
“South Africa also benefits from my visit because I pay for accommodation, buy food and purchase merchandise for resale.”
Another cross-border trader, Martha Tshuma, confirmed she would continue travelling to South Africa to collect items she purchases under lay-by arrangements.
“I buy goods in South Africa on lay-by and resell them here in Bulawayo. We are not worried because we are travelling strictly for business,” she said.
“I have a valid passport, and I use legal border posts, so I see no reason to fear travelling to South Africa.”
According to Cleopas Ncube, a courier operator (Omalayitsha), regional trade will persist in spite of the current tensions.
“I have been operating this business for 15 years, and I will continue. Trade between our countries should not stop because of these disturbances,” said Ncube.
“Many documented foreign nationals rely on us to transport goods to their relatives back home.
“I have all the required documents, my vehicle is South African-registered, and I use the necessary temporary permits to transport parcels between the two countries.”
More: New Ziana
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