Beitbridge conjoined twins Unarine and Zwoluga Mudau have died as victims of a failed health system at home in Zimbabwe and inhumanity by South African vigilante groups who ensured that they are denied medical attention in the neighbouring country.
They had turned four this year.
Their mother, Rofhiwa Mudau, confirmed the deaths saying the two were laid to rest at Tshanswilikiti Village 20 kilometres north of Beitbridge town.
“Sadly, they have passed on. It happened a few weeks back,” their mother said.
Born at the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital in South Africa, Unarine and Zwoluga, met with hostility early in their lives when their mother was ejected from a hospital and directed home to Zimbabwe for medical attention.
In Beitbridge, the twins were discovered by a special education teacher, Kiabetso Malutha, who facilitated their quick movement to Beitbridge Hospital from where they were transferred to Mpilo and later Harare hospitals.
Their mother spent three lonely years at Harare Hospital where investigations to separate them were unsuccessful, resulting in them being sent back home to Beitbridge.
Rofhiwa said during her stay at Harare she was visited by senator Tambudzani Mohadi who also provided financial support, among several other pressing needs.
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It is understood the twins shared some vital organs and separation became impossible as it would risk the other.
Rofhiwa was among the first victims of a xenophobic attitude by some South Africans, who today deny black foreigners medical treatment in direct violation of that country's constitutional provisions on the right to health.
South Africa's constitution, specifically Section 27, guarantees access to healthcare services for "everyone," including foreigners, with no distinction based on nationality or legal status.
While legal frameworks aim to provide access, the application of these provisions can be inconsistent, leading to challenges for migrants.
A vigilante group calling itself Dudula has of late been going around public hospitals and filming themselves chasing foreigners out of queues of different health centres.
This is despite the problems encountered by Zimbabweans during South Africa's armed struggle when Zimbabwe as a front line state provided shelter for fighters belonging to that country's liberation movements.
"Sadly that's how they decided to pay us back. It is inhuman to use sick people as a fight against their political desires," said one Beitbridge resident.
"As regards health, everyone, even prisoners, foreigners should be allowed to access that."
Some Zimbabweans believe South Africans are justified citing misgovernance, corruption and misplaced priorities by the Harare administration.
"After a disaster that occurred at Beitbridge we saw four ministers and other high-ranking government officials coming to Beitbridge in different cars all for one purpose,” said one outspoken Beitbridge resident.
“They drove in their fuel guzzlers yet our hospitals have nothing.
“Why would the South Africans want to understand that?”
During the accident which claimed 34 lives, Zimbabwe's air ambulance service was nowhere to be seen while some injured had cardboard boxes used for days in place of plasters.
"What is most frustrating is that our politicians head for South Africa when sick instead of improving the health institutions of the country," said former Beitbridge councillor Granger Nyoni.
"Our government must invest in research and development in the medical sector.
“They should be ashamed of the embarrassment Zimbabweans are subjected to in other countries when seeking medical help.
“A country's progress is marked by its attention to education and health, both which have become unfortunate scenarios in Zimbabwe.”
