Ndlozi on calls to close Beitbridge: Open the borders or deal with a worse humanitarian crisis than Covid-19
EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has weighed in on the debate around the Beitbridge border post, claiming that closing the border between SA and its neighbours could cause a disaster greater than the Covid-19 pandemic.
Videos allegedly from the border have been shared widely on social media this week, showing massive crowds delayed while trying to get into SA. This is as officials in Limpopo identified 18 cases of fake negative Covid-19 test results produced at the post by people attempting to enter the country.
The videos sparked a huge debate on social media, with the hashtag #CloseBeitbridgeBorder topping the local Twitter trends list.
Weighing in on the conversation, Ndlozi said calls for the border to close should “be rejected with all the contempt it deserves”.
He claimed closing the border would be “inhumane” and “breed a worse humanitarian crisis than Covid-19”.
“Let our people in. They are part of us. They live here and have been living here for centuries,” he said.
Please open the boarders from Zim, Lesotho & Mozambique!!! They not bringing Covid; they left it here & will find it here. Let them in. It’s not fair - they live here. They are from here. They are part of us!
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) January 5, 2021
Or you will be dealing with the worst humanitarian crisis than Covid!
This #CloseBeitbridgeBorder hashtag must be rejected with all the contempt it deserves!
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) January 5, 2021
Let our people in. They are part of us! They live here and have been living here for centuries!
Closing the boarder is inhuman & will breed the worst humanitarian crisis than Covid-19!
How SA dealt with the border crisis would be a true test of its humanity, he said.
“Our humanity is measured not by how we treat our friends and loved ones. Our humanity is measured by how we treat strangers/foreigners. The SA border crisis during this pandemic is the true test of our humanity. Don’t be inhuman. Open the borders. Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique are us.”
SADC is breeding a big humanitarian crisis on South African borders.
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) January 5, 2021
How can these governments look at masses of African people, body to body, flocking into SA required to give Covid-19 certificates they know well no single country on the continent has capacity to produce??
During Lockdown Level 5 last year we were with our bothers & sisters from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Botswana & Mozambique. We flattened Covid curve together!
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) January 6, 2021
It’s lockdowns, social distancing, masks & sanitisers that help us reduce Covid-19 infections. NOT abuse of foreign nationals!
Ndlozi also took aim at Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, urging him to take mobile test stations to the border with SA.
Responding to Mnangagwa’s plea for citizens to avoid large gatherings and non-essential travel, Ndlozi wrote: “Chief, can you stop grandstanding on Twitter. Take mobile test stations to your borders with SA. This is the most urgent problem now. The border is presenting a big super-spreader event.
“Oh, and are you actually tweeting from a holiday or from work?” he added.
Chief, can you stop grandstanding on Twitter. Take mobile test stations to your borders with South Africa. This is the most urgent problem NOW. The border is presenting a big super spreader event.
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) January 5, 2021
Oh, and are you actually tweeting from a holiday or from work?? https://t.co/9CKinspiuD