COVID-19, Dissensus and de facto Transformation at the South Africa–Zimbabwe Border at Beitbridge. Issue 4 (8th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moyo, Inocent
• Is Part Of: Journal of borderlands studies. Volume 37:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 781
• Page End: 804
• Publication Date: 2022-08-08
• Subjects: Borders -- southern Africa -- COVID-19; Mexican-American Border Region -- Periodicals; United States -- Relations -- Mexico -- Periodicals; Mexico -- Relations -- United States -- Periodicals; Borderlands -- Periodicals; ESTADOS UNIDOS -- RELACIONES -- MEXICO -- PUBLICACIONES PERIODICAS; MEXICO -- RELACIONES -- ESTADOS UNIDOS -- PUBLICACIONES PERIODICAS; Borderlands; International relations; Mexico; North America -- Mexican-American Border Region; United States; Periodicals; 303.48273072
• DOI: 10.1080/08865655.2022.2039267
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0886-5655

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper explores the coronavirus-induced closure of the South Africa–Zimbabwe border at Beitbridge and its effects on informal cross-border trade activities and migration. It is based on a qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with informal cross-border traders (ICBTs), migrant workers, local informal transporters, informal cross-border transporters, bus drivers, and individual couriers (hired to transport goods across illegal border cross border points). The findings suggest that the border closure had a limited impact on ICBT and migration behavior as it led to a transformation and/or reconfiguration of how people contested the Beitbridge border. This suggests that border closures are an ineffective strategy to mitigate the effects of disasters/pandemics, such as coronavirus.