The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) intensified their operations along the country’s border as part of “Operation Cornona” on 28 November 2024. This is to prevent illegal entry of individuals from other countries.
They arrested two pregnant women trying to enter South Africa illegally to get child grants, reported TimesLIVE on 28 November 2024. The publication also revealed that these illegal crossing are the most frequent along the Limpopo border areas.
PREGNANT WOMEN ILLEGALLY CROSSING BORDER TO REGISTER FOR CHILD GRANTS
The Citizen reported on 30 November 2024 that SANDF’s Major Shihlangoma Mahlahlane spoke to the media during a briefing. He explained the crossing of pregnant women into the country. Mahlahlane said:
“Pregnant females cross into South Africa and, after giving birth in the South African hospital, they will try to register their child as South African to obtain the child grant.”
According to TimesLIVE, Lt-Col Mzoxolo Ketsekile, SANDF’s battalion commander of the deployed forces and Operation Corona in Limpopo, also spoke about the issue. He said crossing at the border takes place at any time “at night or early morning under the cover of darkness.” Ketsekile that the pregnant women frequently entering the country illegally are from Zimbabwe. He expressed:
“The high cost of living as well as the high unemployment in our neighbouring countries has left many of these undocumented people desperate to get into South Africa…even after deportation they will try until they are successful in living permanently in South Africa.”
MOTHER ABANDONED CHILD AT THE BORDER TO AVOID BEING CAUGHT
SANDF also caught two women and a child during their operation. The females are reportedly South African but were still crossing illegally. Regarding the child, SANDF said: “The mother of the child ran away leaving the child behind with a friend.”
HOLES IN BORDER FENCE A HUGE ISSUE
BusinessDay reported on 29 November 2024 about the holes in the border fence between South Africa and Zimbabwe being a huge issue. Mahlahlane said about the problem:
“The fence is down because of the same people who are carrying groceries out. It was fine two years ago. But unfortunately they took advantage that we are not all over, to cut the fence for exits and entries.
“It is extremely bad. It is very difficult to stop them because there are a lot of exits and that is where the contraband can cross over. When we patrol towards the east, they go towards the west because they know the area is vulnerable.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK CAN BE DONE TO CURB ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSING BY PREGNANT WOMEN FOR CHILD GRANTS?
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