18 Zimbabweans feared drowned in Limpopo River

18 Zimbabweans feared drowned in Limpopo River

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By Staff Reporter

AS MANY as 18 Zimbabweans are feared to have drowned after being swept away while illegally crossing the Limpopo River into South Africa, unconfirmed reports said Wednesday.

Zimbabwean police and their South African counterparts have led sub-aqua search teams scouring the Limpopo River in the Dite area, about 60km west of Beitbridge, but there were still no bodies found late Wednesday.

The state-run Herald newspaper, citing unconfirmed reports said at least 15 border jumpers are feared to have drowned on the night of Friday last week, although other reports on Thursday suggested up to 60 people could have been swept away by the flooded river.

Police said a 17-member sub-aqua team from the South African police, joined another team of five from Bulawayo, and two helicopters scoured the area on Tuesday and Wednesday to look for bodies.

Zimbabwe police spokesman Bethel Magora said South African police believe as many as 18 border jumpers may have perished, though their Zimbabwean counterparts put the casualty figure at 15.

“Right now it is a bit difficult to confirm the incident as we are still in the preliminary stages of our investigations and again nobody has been retrieved as of now,” Magora said.

With inflation running at 586 per cent and the looming prospect of food shortages, life is getting harder for most ordinary Zimbabweans. Growing numbers try to sneak into neighbouring South Africa to look for jobs and money. Some try to get employment on farms in Limpopo Province.

South Africa deported around 97,000 illegal Zimbabwean immigrants last year. Many Zimbabweans try to re-enter South Africa after they have been deported by using undesignated entry points.

The Limpopo River is a particularly dangerous crossing point. At this time of year it is flooded and infested with crocodiles.

Last week, a suspected border jumper from Zimbabwe died after he was shot in the leg by a South African soldier patrolling the border.
Sapa-dpa
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