Zimpapers Logo

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) collects approximately $2 million a day at the Beitbridge Border Post.

The revenue realised at the border post could be higher if there was no rampant smuggling of goods at the busiest border post in Southern Africa, Senators were told recently.

As a result, the Government has been urged to modernise border posts through the use of electronic equipment to improve accountability.

A report on the state of the country’s borders presented in the Senate by the chairperson of Thematic Committee on Peace and Security Senator Damian Mumvuri said there are a lot of irregularities at the country’s borders depriving treasury of revenue.

“National borders have become porous and fraught with many logistical irregularities which have compromised expedient human movement, human security and the amount of money remitted to the national treasury by Zimra. Such a situation compromises national security and local industries development as cheaper commodities will be found in the market,” said Senator Mumvuri.

“The Beitbridge Town Council also submitted that Zimra was making US$2 million a day from Beitbridge border post and the town council would need a stake in the form of a community share ownership to develop the town. During the meeting with Zimra, it was confirmed that it was making about $2 million a day,” he said.

Senator Mumvuri said smuggled goods are sometimes picked up in Limpopo River, meaning others make their way into the country.

He said the committee was also informed that Zimra is short staffed due to shortage of houses in the area.

The senator said the district administrator’s office also complained about personnel working at the border posts who abuse their positions to inspect passports.

“At the Beitbridge Border Post, the committee interacted with the DA’s office where the major concern raised was that there are too many stakeholders at the border post demanding passports,” he said.

“These include the police, soldiers and immigration officers. It was highlighted that whilst it was the mandate of the immigration officers and the police to request for one’s passport, the soldiers, security guards, central intelligence officers among others also demanded passports.”