Malawians ordered to have R3000 to get into SA
Minister of Trade and Industry John Bande expressed surprise at the order and said he needed time to find out the true picture.
The order, according to frequent travellers, came from the Malawi Government that every Malawian getting into South Africa should show that they have at least R3 000 as the country has no money to spend on repatriating stranded citizens.
Reads a notice from the Beitbridge immigration office given to international buses that ply their trade between Malawi to South Africa: “You are cordially informed that as from the 1st of March 2012, Malawian passport holders must have the travellers cheque to the amount of R3 000 as a proof of having enough funds that enable one to sustain himself or herself in the Republic.
“If one presents himself or herself before the immigration officer without a valid traveller’s cheque of the above said amount will be refused entry to the Republic in terms of Section (30) (1) (A).”
The demand to produce R3 000 came into effect three weeks ago, according to some travellers and an official at Munorurama International Bus Company.
Three women who were buying tickets at Munorurama office on Monday said the amount was “too high” for small-scale businesses. The three women said they sell fresh usipa fish and Sobo squash in South Africa.
“We are told at the Beit Bridge by officials there that the order is coming from Malawi Government because many Malawians were going to South Africa without anything and ended up getting repatriated. We are told government has no money to keep on repatriating such people. But the figure is too high,” said one woman who only identified herself as Patience.
Another woman who only identified herself as Beatrice said the amount could be good for somebody just visiting South Africa and not for business.
“We have the money in the merchandise that we take. It is, therefore, unfair that on top of the goods we take for sale, we should also show R3 000,” said Beatrice.
The women said in agreement that the order is crippling their businesses because there is no forex in the country’s banks.
“There is no forex and we have no choice but look for it on the black market. But the problem is to have our passports stamped by the banks.
There are some dealers on the black market who have dubious bank stamps, but usually these stamps are detected at the border,” said Beatrice, adding that the SA rand is exchanged at K35 on the black market. The women said many Malawians face problems at the Beit Bridge.
“Sometimes, some women engage in sexual activities with some officials at the border to have entry. Some people even try to cross by swimming through the Limpopo River, but some have lost lives to crocodiles,” said Beatrice.
An official at the Munorurama Bus Company said the order came into effect three weeks ago and that several buses have been returned with passengers without the money.
“Last week we sent seven buses and six buses were sent back. When people come to buy tickets, we are now showing them the notice and those who still board the bus without having the required amount, we tell them that they are not our responsibility at the Beitbridge,” the official said.
Some stranded Malawians who were told to go back to Malawi called Weekend Nation last week Thursday and cried foul over the development.
Executive director of the Economic Empowerment Action Group, Louis Chiwalo, who witnessed traders being turned back at Beitbridge, described the R3000 as very high.
Chiwalo said government is killing businesses for its own people.
