Thousands of people have found themselves stranded at Beitbridge border post after crossing from South Africa. This follows calls from March & March, a citizen-led movement advocating for stronger immigration enforcement, for illegal immigrants to leave the country by 30 June.

The influx at the border post created long queues, with some travellers forced to spend nights in the cold while waiting to be assisted. In response, Seventh-day Adventist Church members in Beitbridge stepped up to assist those who had crossed, providing hot meals and essential support to Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals.

Over the past two days, members of the Beitbridge Central District served hot meals to more than 430 adults and 100 children stranded at the border on 29 and 30 June 2026.

The Beitbridge Port of Entry has seen a sharp increase in cross-border movement in recent weeks. According to the Border Management Authority (BMA) of South Africa, more than 8,200 foreign nationals were processed for repatriation through the Beitbridge Port of Entry between 12 and 24 June 2026. BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the authority processed 6,709 Malawian nationals transported in 112 buses, and 1,521 Zimbabwean nationals transported in 26 buses, during the same period.

Thirty Dorcas ladies led the church response, serving sadza, vegetables, cabbage, rice, and soup at the busy Renkini Bus Terminus. One Dorcas member also distributed tea and bread on the sidelines.

The initiative began after church members noticed travellers stranded at the border in the cold, said Pastor Petros Muleya, Beitbridge District Pastor.

"The initiative came about when we saw the need, being a border district. We saw and heard people being stranded at the border on this cold night," Muleya said. "We could see that these people were hungry, and there is a need."

The response built quickly. One church member alerted the district's Dorcas leadership, and within hours the team had mobilised pots, ingredients, and volunteers.

"One of our members saw the need and reached out to our Dorcas mothers. The response was massive," Muleya said. "This is Jesus' method of ministry. This is preaching Christ through works."

The Dorcas team expanded their response on the second day, moving into the afternoon to serve a second location, the Engen Garage, where stranded travellers were waiting for transport. Between 50 and 60 people received food packs at that site, and by 4pm, the team had returned to the taxi rank to serve a further 50 people.

Recipients of the meals expressed their gratitude in remarks captured by McGeorge Mbare Musanda, a local journalist filing for Ziyah Media. "I am so grateful, I was able to eat and feed my baby", said one lady captured by Musanda.

Mrs Ngwenya, Dorcas Leader for the Beitbridge Central District, said the response was a coordinated effort across the membership.

Over the two days, the team reached more than 530 people in total, including approximately 100 children. Beitbridge is Zimbabwe's busiest land border post and the primary entry point for nationals returning from South Africa, with movement through the port increasing significantly during the current repatriation period.

The church plans to continue feeding stranded travellers as long as the need at the border persists.