The number of citizens crossing the border between Mozambique and neighbouring Zimbabwe has grown significantly in recent days.
The spokesman for the migration service in Manica, Abílio Mate, justifies this movement by the existence on national territory, especially in that province, of various religious sects whose origins are in Zimbabwe.
He explained that since the Easter campaign was launched, around 5,000 citizens have crossed the Machipanda border into Zimbabwe.
Most of the visitors have come to celebrate Easter with their families and friends. Easter symbolises the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for Christian citizens.
The crossing is being made via the Machipanda border crossing in the Manica district, in the centre of Mozambique, the main entry point to Zimbabwe.
Beyond Machipanda, Mozambicans have the alternative border of Chipingue, in the district of Mossurize, in the southern region of that province
Machipanda is Mozambique’s second largest land border, after Ressano Garcia, in Maputo province.
Every day, hundreds of Zimbabweans cross through Machipanda to Mozambique, especially during the festive season.
Many foreigners come to enjoy the beaches and other tourist sites in Manica province and elsewhere in Mozambique.
Now, during the Easter season, the opposite is true. Many Mozambican citizens are travelling to Zimbabwe and other inland countries.
‘In our province there are many Christian churches whose origins are in Zimbabwe. This means that many of our fellow citizens are travelling to that neighbouring country to celebrate Holy Week. So we see an unusual movement of people going to Zimbabwe,’ said Abílio Mate.
‘So, of the number that have crossed the border, the majority are Mozambicans travelling to Zimbabwe this Easter. Many religious congregations based in Mozambique have their headquarters in Zimbabwe. Believers go to that neighbouring country to spend Easter’.
The provincial Migration Service in Manica expects more than 9,400 citizens to cross the borders of Machipanda, in the Manica district, and Chipingue, in Mossurize, between 14 and 21 April.
Abílio Mate appealed to the population to cross the official borders into the neighbouring country, without resorting to illegal means, otherwise they would be considered offenders.
‘Citizens can buy passports or other travel documents if they want to go to Zimbabwe. This will make it easier for them to travel to Zimbabwe. So we urge them to go to the migration office and get their documents in order,’ said Abílio Mate.
In the city of Chimoio, the provincial capital of Manica, despite the rain that has been falling since Thursday afternoon (17), and the intense cold, there is a visible movement of people and some religious congregations preparing for the afternoon and evening services on the occasion of Good Friday.
AIM
