South Africa registers unfortunate Covid-19 milestone as humanitarian crisis unfolds on Zimbabwe border

by

Covid cases have risen to unprecedented levels since the beginning of the year, and the government has announced plans to launch a vaccination program this month.

South Africa is one of the worst-hit countries in Africa, with more than a million cases and 31,368 deaths since Wednesday.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Thursday that the country will receive 1.5 million Covid-19 vaccines from the Serum Institute of India.

The minister said the first millions of doses would arrive this month, with the rest being delivered in February. Priority will be given to the more than one million health workers in South Africa, both in the public and private sectors, in the first round of vaccinations.

At the same time, there are growing fears of a humanitarian crisis on the country’s border with Zimbabwe, where hundreds of workers have been stranded following a national blockade banning cross-border travel by the Zimbabwean government.

Hundreds of returning residents faced chaotic scenes, while authorities delayed the release of passengers, most traveling for the Christmas holidays.

Video footage and images of Zimbabweans sleeping at the border sparked outrage on social media as the Zimbabwean government downplayed the crisis.

Zimbabwe Information Secretary Nick Mangwana told CNN: “There is no situation. There is no problem in the South African side. The Zimbabweans who are there wanted to pass the blockade and most were released by Tuesday. 15:00 “.

Zimbabwe's health system has been overwhelmed as the country begins a new blockade, doctors say

South African Home Secretary Aaron Motsoaledi has acknowledged, however, that a humanitarian crisis is breaking out at the Beitbridge border.

“It is clear that there is a humanitarian crisis. I have seen the photos. People are trying to get rid of the harsh blockade in Zimbabwe and the extinction there,” Motsoaledi said.

The slow pace of passenger compensation and the verification of Covid-19 certificates by South African authorities has caused frustration among Zimbabwean immigrants.

Some passengers, including truck drivers, were stranded for four days without food or shelter, according to local media reports.

The government responded to the second wave of infections by moving the country back to blockade 3 on December 28, imposing stricter restrictions on social gatherings and banning alcohol.

They also imposed the mandatory wearing of face masks.

.Source