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Somali refugee died while trying to illegally cross into SA

 

A Somali refugee, believed to be in his late 30s, died at a police station outside Beit Bridge after succumbing to malaria, police have said.

The local police spokesperson, Supt Christopher Chisedze, said the incident occurred on Thursday at around 17:00. It is suspected the refugee intended to cross into South Africa illegally. “The Somali, who looked ill, went to a homestead in Tongwani village, situated near the Limpopo River, to beg for food. The villager then offered him food before ferrying him to Panda Police base, where he died a few hours later.

“We suspect the now deceased succumbed to malaria as he was among a group of 10 Somali refugees who were admitted at Beit Bridge District Hospital,” he said. The dead man was in possession of a packet of malaria tablets.

He could not release the name of the dead man, saying they were still trying to locate his relatives since he was undocumented. The body was taken to Beit Bridge District Hospital mortuary.

Meanwhile, two Somalis refugees were admitted to the local hospital after contracting malaria. Scores of Somalis are stranded in Beit Bridge after they were denied entry into South Africa, following a review of the country’s immigration laws.

News - Date: 20 May 2011

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Mashudu Netsianda

Mashudu Netsianda is our correspondent in Beit Bridge, Zimbabwe. He joined us in 2006, writing both local and international stories. He had worked for several Zimbabwean publications, as well as the Times of Swaziland. Mashudu received his training at the School of Mass Communication in Harare.

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