Pregnant Zim women flock SA, seeking grants

PRETORIA--Pregnant Zimbabwean women are entering South Africa illegally to give birth so that they can qualify for child support grants, Limpopo police said on Sunday.

Musina police spokesperson Maggy Mathebula said 2 300 Zimbabweans were arrested during weekend raids for entering the country illegally.

"The women told us they come here to give birth so their children can get South African birth certificates," she said.

"This qualifies them for child support grants." Some Zimbabweans were arrested at roadblocks and others were spotted crossing the Limpopo river.

"Others were caught scaling fences at the border. Strangely, some came through the border even though they did not have passports," she said