Beitbridge: Motsoaledi fuming after 17 fake Covid-19 permits found
- Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has slammed travellers using fake Covid-19 certificates to get around
- During a visit to Beitbridge border it was discovered that 17 fake certificates had been discovered
- This comes after chaos was recorded at the border last week with queues spanning over 14 km
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Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is adamant that travellers using fake Covid-19 certificates will come short.
The politician vowed that the full might of the law would be levied against offenders after 17 fake certificates were discovered.
Motsoaledi was carrying out a compliance visit at a mobile testing site located at the Beitbridge border post on Saturday.
Source: UGC
Commenting on a person who had handed in a fake certificate in order to gain passage across the border, the Minister was adamant that he should be returned, slamming the perpetrator as a 'fraudster':
"You can't just come with your fraudulent documents. The person who wants to enter your country with a fraudulent document is undermining your sovereignty, is undermining the order in your country, is undermining al the laws."
Motsoaledi says that the state has implemented strict measures in a bid to stop people entering the country illegally.
It has now been confirmed that South African National Defence Force helicopters will be deployed to monitor the border during this busy time.
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that the Department of Home Affairs has now confirmed that the chaos at Beitbridge border post has been sorted out.
The crossing between South Africa and Zimbabwe has been making headlines with reports of numerous fatalities.
In a statement issued by the Department, it was confirmed that the border is now easily accessible:
“The Musina Local Municipality provided additional holding areas which enabled vehicles going to the border to be released to travel in manageable numbers. The municipality also provided ablution facilities and water along the route from the town of Musina to the port of entry.”
Commuters are encouraged to observe traffic and immigration laws in addition to health protocols put in place to limit the spread of Covid-19.
The government had earlier announced that the mandatory Covid-19 test results were no longer required in a bid to ease the tense situation at the border.
The queues, stretching over 20km and taking up to nine days to cross, had been making headlines.
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Source: Briefly News
