A Zimbabwean journalist, based in South Africa, was left stranded in Beitbridge after he was "stripped" of his money, allegedly by a group of six Home Affairs officials at the border post, before they subsequently deported him last Friday.

The journalist, who declined to be named, alleges that the officials were driven by xenophobia and greed to deport him illegally to Zimbabwe.

"I had just entered South Africa when six immigration officers at Beitbridge border post confronted me before demanding to see my documents. I then produced my valid Zimbabwean passport and a work permit, which clearly stated that I was to work and study in South Africa for three years," he said.

The journalist told Mirror that he was waiting for a business partner from Zimbabwe behind the Department of Home Affairs building when the fracas eventually unfolded, much to the shock of other travellers.

"The immigration officials then took my US$ 250, R1 780, an FNB cheque book and a Motorola L6 cell phone, after which they shoved me into their car before they deported me and eventually dumped me at the Beitbridge Police Station, where I was subsequently detained by the Zimbabwean police for five days… I am really terrified and I am now stranded," he said.

The journalist was only released on Tuesday after police had failed to get a charge against him as his documents were in order. "I reported the matter to the Zimbabwean police about my stolen money, but the Home Affairs officials, one of them only known as Moses, are denying having confiscated my money save for the cheque book and the cell phone. To me, it was simply a well-planned ploy to rob me of my money before deporting me without even verifying the authenticity of my documents. To me, deporting me was just a cover-up for their stealing my money because right now they are accusing each other," said the journalist.

A Musina-based human rights lawyer, Gabriel Shumba, blasted the immigration officials for their behaviour. "Yes, we know there are some Zimbabweans without documents illegally crossing into South Africa, but we are very much against this kind of behaviour from the Home Affairs officials, who are supposed to handle travellers in a respectable manner, despite their nationalities. We therefore strongly condemn this kind of behaviour and we are saying the responsible authorities should investigate this case," he said. "We are now assisting the police to ensure that the journalist recovers his belongings."

An average of about 1500 Zimbabweans are deported through Beitbridge border post every month. Millions of Zimbabweans are reportedly working and staying in South Africa, the majority of them illegally, as the economic situation in the neighbouring country continues to deteriorate, with inflation now pegged at 7000%.

Meanwhile, police in Beitbridge confirmed that the journalist was detained and subsequently released without any charges.

"We released the journalist after discovering that all his documents were in order and we are now assisting him to recover his belongings, which were allegedly confiscated by South African Home Affairs officials and they are indeed admitting that they took his cheque book and the phone, but unfortunately, they are denying having taken his money," said Chief Insp Moyo.