Current traffic situation at the Beitbridge Border post has increased by approximately 100% with Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) currently clearing and releasing on average over 800 trucks per day, compared to an average of around 400 in 2019 according to information released by the taxman Head Corporate Communications Francis T. Chimanda.
In 7 days from 26 May to 1 June, 2020 Zimra cleared 3134 incoming heavy goods vehicles trucks and 3109 outgoing carriers making a total of 6243 trucks according to the information released.
The Head Corporate Communications called the traffic increased movement in both import and export in the last few days unprecedented.
“The increase has been largely attributed to the different COVID-19 testing protocols implemented by different countries in the region, which have seen transporters diverting their trucks from some routes to and from South Africa and transiting through Zimbabwe, resulting in the increase in the flow of traffic through Beitbridge,” Chimanda says.
“This has imposed unanticipated strain on both border infrastructure and human resources for Zimbabwe and neighbouring country border stakeholders.”
The Head Corporate Communications went on to says that ZIMRA is taking steps, in partnership with various stakeholders, to improve the turnaround time.
“ZIMRA is working with regional counterparts in neighbouring countries to facilitate trade and travel,” Chimanda says.
“Some of the measures ZIMRA has taken to relieve the congestion and ensure easier movement include but are not limited to the introduction of more queues, fast tracking of maize and other urgent food imports, fuel, explosive materials and empty trucks.”
“The Authority is engaging with its various stakeholders in order to find ways of addressing the challenges through collaboration and teamwork,” went on Chimanda.
Beitbridge has been known as the busiest border post in Southern Africa with about 25 000 people passing through in normal days.
“While there is room for improvement, there is need to maintain a balance between facilitation, revenue collection, enforcing controls and being mindful of the COVID-19 virus and the protocols that need to be implemented to reduce exposure for clients, employees and our other stakeholders,” Chimanda says.
“ZIMRA continues to engage with other stakeholders to ensure that our clearance processes and systems are as fluid as possible under the circumstances and the truck flow remains steady and consistently under control.”
