Thousands of Mozambicans Risk Lives to Reach South Africa in Search of Economic Opportunities

Strategic Insights -

Thousands of Mozambicans, driven by the prospect of economic prosperity in Johannesburg, are risking their lives to evade South African border patrols and the still-electrified high-voltage fence, which has claimed the lives of more people in three years than the Berlin Wall did in 28 years. Despite official claims that the electricity on the fence was switched off over two years ago, reports from the border reveal that the voltage has been reduced but the fence remains operational. The influx of immigrants, primarily from Mozambique but also from other African countries, continues unabated, with many seeking employment in Johannesburg or smuggling contraband items into South Africa.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 1,000 Mozambicans, along with immigrants from other African countries, are risking their lives to evade South African border patrols and the still-electrified high-voltage fence.
  • The high-voltage electric fence has claimed the lives of more people in three years than the Berlin Wall did in 28 years.
  • The South African Defence Force allegedly shut off the electricity on the fence over two years ago, but reports from the border contradict this claim.
  • The Mozambicans are among the poorest of the refugees repatriating from Africa to Johannesburg, driven by the promise of economic opportunities.
  • The influx of immigrants continues, with many seeking employment in Johannesburg or smuggling contraband items into South Africa.
  • The centre of this migration is Ponte City, an enormous spherical building in Johannesburg, and the neighbouring high-rise inner-city suburb of Hillbrow.
  • The South African government has stopped arresting immigrants and dumping them back at the border under its agreement with the UNHCR.
  • Black South Africans have grown resentful of the new immigrants, accusing them of poaching their jobs.
  • The new government of national unity and its Minister of Home Affairs, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, will adopt a new policy that will directly impact the lives of these immigrants.

Statistics:

  • 1,000+ Mozambicans are risking their lives to evade South African border patrols and the still-electrified high-voltage fence.
  • 3 years: the time period it took for the high-voltage electric fence to claim the lives of more people than the Berlin Wall did in 28 years.
  • 2 years: the time frame since the South African Defence Force allegedly shut off the electricity on the fence, but reports from the border contradict this claim.
  • 30 years: the duration of war in Mozambique, which led to a mass exodus of refugees.
  • 50%: the proportion of up to half a million refugees repatriating to Mozambique under an agreement with South Africa and the UNHCR.
  • 54 storeys: the height of Ponte City, an enormous spherical building in Johannesburg that has become a hub for immigrant activity.

Sources:

  • Van Niekerk, Philip. "Thousands of Mozambicans risk lives to reach South Africa in search of economic opportunities." [No publication date mentioned in the original text].