By Admore Mbonda in Chirundu
Chirundu — For years, the Chirundu Border Post has been a gateway of opportunity for traders, travelers, and families straddling the line between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
But yesterday, it became a flashpoint for frustration and heartache, as everyday citizens—on both sides—raised their voices in protest.
Business ground to a halt as Zambian and Zimbabwean nationals engaged in counter-protests, each side accusing the other’s immigration officials of unjust treatment.
What began as quiet murmurs of discontent over the past few weeks exploded into a border stand-off, fueled by allegations of discrimination, harassment, and double standards.
“I cross this border every week to sell goods,” said Agnes Moyo, a Zimbabwean trader, clutching a worn plastic bag of merchandise.
“Now I’m scared. I don’t know if I’ll be fined, arrested, or just turned away. All I want is to feed my children.”
Zambian authorities have reportedly ramped up arrests of undocumented Zimbabweans, while their own nationals cross freely into Zimbabwe with little resistance.
The contrast has ignited fury. According to Tibs Runyowa, chair of the Chirundu Residents Association, Zimbabweans have faced fines as high as 24,000 Kwacha (about US$800)—a crushing sum for ordinary citizens trying to get by.
“We’re not criminals,” said Tinashe, a young man caught in the crowd, his voice strained with emotion. “We’re just people trying to live.”
But the frustration isn’t one-sided. Zambian vendors, too, feel unfairly blocked from entering Zimbabwe. One woman, Ruth Tembo, who sells vegetables near the border, wiped tears from her eyes as she spoke: “They turn us away like we don’t matter. But this is my livelihood. If I don’t sell, my children don’t eat.”
Attempts to get official responses from immigration departments on either side have so far been unsuccessful. Behind closed doors, officials are said to be in emergency talks, but on the streets of Chirundu, hope is wearing thin.
Despite the tensions, many border residents are calling not for more division—but for dialogue and dignity.
“This is not about countries fighting,” said Runyowa. “It’s about regular people being caught in the middle. We need solutions that respect human dignity and economic survival.”
The Chirundu Border Post has long been more than a checkpoint; it’s a lifeline. For now, though, it’s become a symbol of frustration—and a desperate cry for fairness that echoes far beyond its gates.
About Author
