The number of Zimbabweans who cross into South Africa through Beit Bridge border post has increased from 3 000 to 7 000 daily since the scrapping of the visa requirements a fortnight ago, immigration officials have said.

Zimbabwean and South African immigration officials at Beit Bridge border post told Mirror that the number of Zimbabwean travellers who visit South Africa was swelling daily.

The South African government removed visa requirements for Zimbabweans and introduced 90-day visitors’ permits. The Zimbabwean principal immigration officer in Beit Bridge, Mr Dennis Chitsaka, said the number of Zimbabweans crossing to South Africa had increased over the last few days. "We are handling a huge influx of Zimbabweans crossing to South Africa through the Beit Bridge border post daily and you find that, on average, we normally receive about 3 000, but since the removal of visas, the number went to around 7000 or so per day. Cross-border traders in buses constitute the highest number of those who pass through the border," he said.

Spokesperson for the Home Affairs Department in Limpopo Mr Sam Muremi said despite the increase in the number of travellers, they were, however, managing the inflow with more personnel having been deployed at the Beit Bridge port of entry.

When Mirror vsited the border post on Monday, there were long, winding queues of travellers waiting to be cleared.

"I have been here for about 30 minutes, but the queue is moving on and we are being attended to swiftly by immigration officers on both sides of the border," said Mrs Evelyn Musasa of Harare. Zimbabwe and South Africa agreed to remove visa restrictions and allow locals to visit the country without facing the hassles of getting a visa. The South African embassy in Harare used to demand R2 000 for a visa application, a move that barred many from travelling to the country.

Many Zimbabweans cross into South Africa daily to hunt for jobs and to shop. In February, South Africa also announced that Zimbabweans would be given six-month work permits. Cross-border traders who frequent South Africa and other stakeholders welcomed the move by South Africa to scrap visas.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) also welcomed the decision by the South African government. An IOM official, Mr Nde Nditonga, hailed South Africa for removing visa requirements.

“The move is in the best interests of the governments of both South Africa and Zimbabwe. By so doing, they will be able to protect the migrants from the abuse usually associated with illegal migration,” he said. The IOM deals with deported Zimbabweans and those abused in South Africa.