Am I in Zimbabwe?

By Frank Chikowore

Johannesburg: Walking along Abel Street in Johannesburg's sprawling suburb of Berea, one might think he or she is in the Joburg Lines in Harare's Mbare high density suburb. But alas, this is South Africa where you here Zimbabwean music from almost each and every household.
Is this because South African love Zimbabwean music most or what? Its because several Zimbabweans are making their way here every day as the economic situation is getting worse every day in Zimbabwe.
How these people find their way here is vry miraculous with the tight security that has been put in place by President Mbeki's government.
But some Zimbabweans I spoke to were quick to point out "this is South Africa, money speaks my friend. Everything is possible when you have money".
They bought their way into the country. Corruption at the border, azt roadblocks and corruption everywhere.
In some cases, some Zimbabweans who came here illegally now even have South African identity documents. Some are even contemplating not going back to Zimbabwe again unless the economic and socio-economic crisis in the country comes to an end.