Officials
in Zimbabwe have reacted indifferently to South African’s announcement that it
planned to erect a fence along the border with its neighbour as part of
measures to stem irregular migration and contain the spread of the new
coronavirus.
in Zimbabwe have reacted indifferently to South African’s announcement that it
planned to erect a fence along the border with its neighbour as part of
measures to stem irregular migration and contain the spread of the new
coronavirus.
“Some
people build durawalls around their houses, fields or properties and some put
up fences. This is a choice people make on how to show their boundaries,”
Nick Mangwana, the spokesman for Zimbabwe’s government, told Al Jazeera on Friday.
people build durawalls around their houses, fields or properties and some put
up fences. This is a choice people make on how to show their boundaries,”
Nick Mangwana, the spokesman for Zimbabwe’s government, told Al Jazeera on Friday.
“The
type of demarcation they choose is their sovereign right. The same applies to
international boundaries.”
type of demarcation they choose is their sovereign right. The same applies to
international boundaries.”
His
comments came as Zimbabwe on Friday confirmed its first case of COVID-19, the
highly infectious disease caused by the new coronavirus. South Africa has
reported 202 cases to date.
comments came as Zimbabwe on Friday confirmed its first case of COVID-19, the
highly infectious disease caused by the new coronavirus. South Africa has
reported 202 cases to date.
The
planned 40km (25-mile) fence is to be erected on both sides of the Beit bridge
Land Port of Entry to “ensure that no undocumented or infected persons
cross into the country”, Patricia de Lille, South Africa’s public works
minister, said in a statement on Thursday, adding that the move could not be
viewed as xenophobic.
planned 40km (25-mile) fence is to be erected on both sides of the Beit bridge
Land Port of Entry to “ensure that no undocumented or infected persons
cross into the country”, Patricia de Lille, South Africa’s public works
minister, said in a statement on Thursday, adding that the move could not be
viewed as xenophobic.
“At
the border post now, you’ve got health inspectors and you’ve got environmental
professionals and they are doing the testing and screening at the border. But
if somebody just walks over the border, there are no such facilities,” she
said.
the border post now, you’ve got health inspectors and you’ve got environmental
professionals and they are doing the testing and screening at the border. But
if somebody just walks over the border, there are no such facilities,” she
said.
