First published in the Daily Maverick 168 weekly newspaper.
In early January, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa’s land borders would be closed until at least mid-February due to the Covid-19 crisis. This includes the Beitbridge crossing between South Africa and Zimbabwe, a border that is exceptionally dangerous thanks to what some risk their lives trying to smuggle through it – explosives that could ignite at any moment.
Mercy Rifundo, a mother of four from Zimbabwe, farmed beans and occasionally travelled to Johannesburg, where she would stay, to sell her produce.
On 17 August last year, she planned to travel into South Africa, this time apparently under the impression she was also transporting floor polish in her luggage on behalf of people who knew her landlord in Johannesburg.
Mercy Rifundo, 42, was sentenced by the Musina Regional Court on Wednesday.
She was also fined R20 000 for contravening the Immigration Act after it was found she had illegally entered into the country.
On 17 August 2020, Rifundo was on her way from Zimbabwe to South Africa when the taxi she was travelling in was stopped and searched by the Beitbridge border police.
Upon searching her bag, the police found 590 units of blasting cartridges to the value of R168 000 and she was subsequently arrested.
Investigation
Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke said Rifundo’s case was handed over to them for investigation.
Maluleke added their investigation revealed she did not have the required documents to be in the country as well.