Beitbridge border post to remain open despite protest threats

August 8, 2016

Source: Eyewitness News

Original article URL

The Zimbabwean government says the Beitbridge border post will remain open today despite threats from protesters to close it down.

Zimbabweans who make a living out of exporting South African goods to Zimbabwe for resale are angry at tough new import restrictions imposed by President Robert Mugabe’s government.

Zimbabwe’s Home Affairs Minister, Ignatius Chombo says police will be out in full force to ensure Beitbridge stays open.

However, Zimbabwean police have no control over Musina, which is where prayers and protest meetings are planned.

Campaigners from the Tajamuka group, which like ThisFlag, is also pressing for reforms. It appear to be behind the protest, as are some informal traders.

The Citizens of the Zimbabwe Movement, based in South Africa, has also threatened to shut down border posts.

There is still a lot of anger over Zimbabwe’s attempts to restrict South African imports, a trade many locals depend upon in a country where job opportunities in the formal sector are few.

Source: Eyewitness News

"The determined efforts, and spirited focus by Zimbabweans from all paths and circles of life against authoritarianism as epitomised by #Tajamuka, #ThisFlag, churches, political parties, individuals etc just transmits a 'zing' of confidence, hope and dawn of a new dispensation from my skull nerves to my balls right to the tip of my foot. Authoritarianism and the despotic dispensation are under electrocution."
- Adolf, Kubatana subscriber in reply to our question asking what keeps people inspired during these tough times

" It was good and permissible when the flag since 1980 was carried by every Harry and Tom to Rufaro Stadium or National Sports Stadium to support Zimbabwe's national team the Warriors. It is good and permissible when the flag is carried about by women and children flocking to the airport to routinely receive the President from his many foreign travels. It is good and permissible if the flag is mutilated and redesigned on the party regalia of the country's self-acclaimed LIFE RULING SINGLE PARTY. It is now bad and not permissible when it is carried by those who demand that the sacrifices of those who lost their lives and years in the liberation struggle be respected by those in power through fighting corruption; practising good governance; public accountability by bringing to book those who are responsible for the missing $15 billion diamond revenues; fiscal austerity by cutting down on the many annual trips the President embarks on; by cutting on extravagance through avoiding the purchase of expensive Range Rovers when the govt is very broke to the point of asking for financial help from those it says are destabilising the economy and country."
- Zvakwana Taneta