“THE FOREIGNERS’ CONFESSION!” | “DEPORTED TODAY, BACK TOMORROW!” POROUS BORDERS

How easy is it for someone who has been deported from South Africa to find their way back into the country? In this Daily Cast News investigation, we examine the extraordinary account of Zimbabwean national and prominent MMA fighter Themba Gorimbo, who publicly narrated how he entered South Africa, was arrested and deported, and then managed to return shortly afterwards. This is not a story based on speculation. In his own account, Gorimbo describes his journey into South Africa, his deportation and how he eventually found his way back. His story raises a much bigger question about the effectiveness of South Africa’s border-control and immigration systems. We also revisit footage of Herman Mashaba examining South Africa’s border areas and questioning how people are able to cross outside official ports of entry. The report then looks at another side of the debate, including EFF President Julius Malema’s argument that undocumented foreign nationals should be documented rather than repeatedly deported, and asks what such an approach could mean for South Africa’s immigration system, border security and future migration. But behind the statistics and political arguments are real people. We also revisit the story of a Zimbabwean mother selling boiled eggs and peanuts on the streets of Johannesburg while carrying her baby, highlighting the difficult economic circumstances that can drive people to leave Zimbabwe in search of income and opportunity. This report examines the border, deportation, documentation, irregular migration and the economic pressures behind the movement of people between Zimbabwe and South Africa. The footage and statements featured in this report are presented for news reporting, documentary and public-interest discussion. Views expressed by individuals featured in the footage belong to those individuals and are presented with attribution. What do you think about South Africa’s current approach to border management, deportation and undocumented migration? Subscribe to Daily Cast News for more South African current affairs, investigations, community stories, crime, corruption, immigration and service-delivery reports. News Tips & Community Stories: [email protected] A warm welcome to all our Daily Cast News Members — thank you for supporting independent news coverage. #DailyCastNews #SouthAfrica #ThembaGorimbo #Zimbabwe #BorderSecurity #PorousBorders #IllegalImmigration #ImmigrationSouthAfrica #UndocumentedMigrants #BorderControl #Deportation #ZimbabweansInSouthAfrica #SouthAfricaNews #Migration #Johannesburg #BreakingNews