South Africans are reportedly jumping the border into Zimbabwe to buy beer which was banned in South Africa during the national lockdown that was imposed to stop the spread and transmission of the coronavirus.
Villagers from Dite area, east of Beitbridge town, claim that some South African nationals bring groceries for barter trade.
The officer commanding Beitbridge Police District Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo told NewsDay that he heard unofficial reports that South African nationals had cut the newly erected fence to skip into Zimbabwe in search of beer. He said:
I have heard that, but our cycle patrol team has said cases of border jumping were on the decline following stepped up operations by the South African defence forces and a yet unexplained sudden flooding of the Limpopo River.
NewsDay further reports that it is alleged that security officers who were mandated to man the area are demanding varying amounts for goods which are being smuggled into the country and at times R15 per carton of any grocery.
Reports also suggest that following the ban on the sale of alcohol in South Africa, alcohol depots were looted while some nationals resorted to home made beer.
More: NewsDay