Cross-border transport operators are cashing in on growing fears of renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa, Zimbabwe's Herald online reported on Thursday.
Transporters said business was brisk with Zimbabweans based in South Africa taking their valuables back home.
The operators were charging R300 for travellers with passports and R1000 for those without from Beitbridge to Bulawayo. To carry household property such as refrigerators and stoves, they charged R1000.
One transporter, who identified himself only as "Bra Joe" said he made about R15,000 last week and the number of trips had increased in the past two months.
The publication reported that although an official at the Beitbridge border post said some travellers cited xenophobia as their reason for leaving South Africa, most people were "ordinary travellers" and blamed the media for fuelling xenophobia fears without proof.
Political parties, the government and civil society groups in South Africa are at odds over whether xenophobia would resurface as it did in 2008, when at least 62 people were killed.
- Sapa
Transporters said business was brisk with Zimbabweans based in South Africa taking their valuables back home.
The operators were charging R300 for travellers with passports and R1000 for those without from Beitbridge to Bulawayo. To carry household property such as refrigerators and stoves, they charged R1000.
One transporter, who identified himself only as "Bra Joe" said he made about R15,000 last week and the number of trips had increased in the past two months.
The publication reported that although an official at the Beitbridge border post said some travellers cited xenophobia as their reason for leaving South Africa, most people were "ordinary travellers" and blamed the media for fuelling xenophobia fears without proof.
Political parties, the government and civil society groups in South Africa are at odds over whether xenophobia would resurface as it did in 2008, when at least 62 people were killed.
- Sapa
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