A socio-economic tsunami is developing in neighbouring Zimbabwe and is hitting South Africa with increasing force.

South Africa’s controversial official policy of “quiet diplomacy” towards Zimbabwe is contributing towards the escalation of conditions which adversely affect trade and encourage thousands of refugees and criminals to flood the country. If this process continues unchecked, it will leave social and economical devastation in its wake.

These views were expressed last week in Musina near the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe, where the local business fraternity is anxiously watching the deteriorating situation on the other side of the Limpopo River.

Businessmen in the prospering Musina are beginning to feel the pinch of inflation which is sky-rocketing out of control in the neighbouring state.

“Musina thrives on Zimbabwean trade. The situation in that country is deteriorating to such an extend that people are dying of hunger and experience problems to get hold of even basic products like salt, soap and rice,” said prominent businessman Jason Rana, in an interview.

“With the highest inflation rate in the world, running into 900% and more and continuously increasing, businesses are closing down and trade across the border is becoming increasingly difficult and complicated. There is no fixed rate of exchange. The unstable character of the Zimbabwean dollar makes it almost impossible to budget and the people cannot afford to buy anything. This situation is affecting trade in Musina adversely. Traders base their estimates on black market rates three months ahead. That country’s largest single money note, the 50 000 dollar note, is worth R1.50,” said Mr Rana.

According to some Zimbabwean traders they are also harassed by unscrupulous South African taxi drivers, operating between Beit Bridge and Musina.

“When we cross the border in our own vehicles to buy supplies in Musina, we are stopped on our return journey and forced by these people to pay “fines” to them, based on the items that we are transporting.” The Zimbabweans say they get no assistance from the local police.