Dozens of buses carrying greater than 400 unaccompanied youngsters have been intercepted in South Africa in an anti-trafficking operation, authorities have mentioned.
South African border officers mentioned 443 youngsters below the age of eight had been discovered travelling from Zimbabwe with out mother and father or authorized guardians.
The youngsters had been being “trafficked” into South Africa, the officers mentioned.
Police stopped and searched the 42 buses getting into by means of the Zimbabwean aspect of the Beitbridge border put up on Saturday night, and so they had been then despatched again to Zimbabwe.
“We denied them entry and activated the Zimbabwean officials to process them back into Zimbabwe,” mentioned Mike Masiapato, commissioner of South Africa’s Border Management Agency.
However, an organisation representing international nationals dwelling in South Africa has urged one other potential clarification for his or her entry into Zimbabwe.
The Africa Diaspora Forum mentioned it believed the kids had been being despatched to go to their mother and father who’re working in South Africa.
Ngqabutho Mabhena, chairman of the organisation, mentioned it was widespread that youngsters had been despatched over the border with out correct documentation, notably close to the top of the yr.
Mr Mabhena mentioned: “We always tell Zimbabwean parents living in South Africa that, if they arrange for their children to come to South Africa, they must… arrange all necessary documentation.
“It is irresponsible for folks to let youngsters journey with out passports and to journey with strangers. We have addressed this with mother and father.”
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More than one million Zimbabweans reside in South Africa, Africa’s most superior financial system – lots of them illegally.
Many moved during the last 15 years to flee financial turmoil in Zimbabwe.
South Africa launched a brand new border drive in October to clamp down on unlawful migration.
Source: information.sky.com”