Aid group says Zimbabweans returning to South Africa are vulnerable to rapists, robbers

Group: Returning Zimbabweans at risk in S. Africa

JOHANNESBURG — An aid group says Zimbabweans crossing back into South Africa after spending the holidays at home are being raped and robbed.

Medecins Sans Frontieres officials said Thursday that hundreds of Zimbabweans who work in South Africa have been coming back across the border daily over the past week.

MSF says those crossing illegally are vulnerable to criminal gangs on both sides of the border.

MSF has been calling on South Africa to open its borders to Zimbabweans fleeing their country’s economic collapse.

Giuseppe Demola, who heads MSF operations at the main crossing at Musina, says that would mean more Zimbabweans could cross legally, and therefore safely.