South africa forties border fence with zimbabwe over coronavirus

You're referring to the recent developments at the South Africa-Zimbabwe border during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In April 2020, South Africa's government announced plans to build a 200-kilometer (124-mile) fence along its border with Zimbabwe to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The fence was intended to be a temporary measure, with the aim of reducing the number of people crossing the border and minimizing the risk of transmission.

The decision to build the fence was taken in response to concerns about the high number of people crossing the border, particularly in the border town of Beitbridge, which is a major entry point for goods and people between the two countries. At the time, Zimbabwe was experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, and South Africa was concerned about the potential for the virus to spread across the border.

The fence was constructed by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and was completed in June 2020. It stretches from the town of Musina in South Africa to the town of Beitbridge in Zimbabwe, and is designed to be 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) high and 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) wide.

While the fence has been effective in reducing the number of people crossing the border, it has also raised concerns about the impact on trade and the movement of people between the two countries. Zimbabwe has accused South Africa of imposing an "economic blockade" by restricting the movement of goods and people across the border.

In recent months, there have been reports of tensions and disputes between South African and Zimbabwean authorities over the fence, with both sides accusing each other of violating the terms of the fence's construction. Despite these tensions, the fence remains in place, and both countries continue to work together to manage the border and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

It's worth noting that the fence is not a permanent structure, and its construction was intended to be a temporary measure to address the specific challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the pandemic is brought under control, the fence is likely to be dismantled or modified to allow for greater movement of people and goods between the two countries.