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Cross-border traders want protection in SA

 

Cross-border Traders Association of Malawi chairperson Esther Tchukambiri says the Mozambique-Zimbabwe route to South Africa (SA) is becoming dangerous  as local traders are being targeted by criminals.

Their concern follows the killing last month of a Lilongwe-based businessperson, Florence Sinsamala Chathyoka, at Beit Bridge—on the border between SA  and Zimbabwe—as she was about to declare her goods to the border security.

The development has created fears among cross- border traders, with some of them vowing never to go to the rainbow nation.

Ichoya (C) flanked by Banda (L) and Yohane addressing journalists in Lilongwe

Speaking during a press conference in Lilongwe on Friday, Tchukambiri said the traders have all the reasons to be fearful.

She said cross-border traders are targeted because they are forced to carry with them 3 000 rand (about K168 000) on each trip to show to border authorities, a development which is making them prone to prone to attacks.

She said: “Buses coming from Malawi are an easy pick for thugs and I will not be surprised if one day the whole coach will be hijacked.

“We need security and we need it now. We support our families as well as the whole economy; hence, government must engage South Africa on the security.”

Federation of National Association of Women in Business in Eastern and Southern Africa (Femcom) chief executive officer Katherine Ichoya said what is making them more agitating is that most cross- border traders are women and the youth.

“The two groups are spending sleepless nights just to make ends meet and for one to be killed at a border where security must be tight is a worrisome development.

“We want relevant authorities to take this issue seriously and sort out this problem once and for all,” she said.

Ichoya, who recently attended a meeting in Senegal on migration and cross-border trading, said the meeting resolved that borders must have all necessary facilities, including toilets and lodging facilities for women to feel protected.

“With unemployment booming, we are seeing even graduates venturing into cross-border business and most of them are girls.

Cross-border Traders  national secretary Steve Yohane said it is surprising that only Malawian traders are required to declare that they have 3 000 rand in their passports and yet their Zimbabwean, Mozambican and Zambian counterparts are exempted.

Femcom chief executive officer for Malawi Chapter Barbara Banda said cross-border traders are being abused even at their own borders as they are forced to pay high charges, a development that could push them out of business.

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