Zimbabwe increases military presence on border with Mozambique

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) increased its personnel along the Forbes Border Post which shares the border with Mozambique.

A visit by The Source saw uniformed forces from Beira Turn Road up to Forbes Border Post.

After decades of rule by President Robert Mugabe, Zimbabweans awoke today to find the capital under military rule, and Mugabe under house arrest.

The border is the entry point of all goods shipped via the Beira Port into the country and plays a key role in trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. However, the uniformed forces were only making routine checks on vehicles and not preventing normal activities.

“We are not commenting on this situation as such,” said Zimbabwe National Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore, when asked for comment.

Despite the unusual scenes, a taxi driver who works the route said it’s ‘business as usual,’ apart from the unusual military presence.

“We panicked at first, but we then realised that their mission is not stopping us from working. They only asked for our national identity documents. So we are going on about our business as usual and so is there staff at the border,” said Clement Mukwena.

A snap survey of the city also indicated that businesses are also operating in the informal trading market places such as – Sakubva Flea Market, Mupedzanhamo and Green Market. The same atmosphere characterised formal businesses in the Central Business District (CBD). – The Source

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