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Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
CUSTOMS clearing agents and business persons have called on Government to urgently address border service inefficiency and improve management systems at Beitbridge Border Post.

Speaking during a pre-budget consultation meeting organised by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget and Finance last week, participants said movement of cargo was hampered by inefficient service, which affects general ease of doing business.

Shipping and Forwarding Agents Association of Zimbabwe (SFAAZ), Beitbridge chapter’s secretary, Ms Catherine Hlanguyo said many transporters were now shunning the border due to losses they were incurring, emanating from delays in movement of commercial cargo. “The delays mainly are associated with the introduction of Statutory Instrument no 113, which calls for the use of electronic tracking and use of seals on all transit cargo,” she said.

“The implementation of these regulations has resulted in delays and many transporters are now avoiding Zimbabwe.

“In most cases the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) does not have enough seals and manpower to cater for all the cargo sealing processes. In some cases they resort to escorting the trucks. This, however, takes time with trucks spending longer than necessary at the border waiting to be escorted, since Zimra has skeletal staff to attend to both transit cargo and ordinary customs duties.”

Ms Hlanguyo said although they had engaged Zimra and other border stakeholders, the situation remains deplorable. In some cases, she said the customs officers from Zimra were not conversant on the scope of the new S.I. She said under the new regulations, transit cargo must follow a geo-fenced route from the port of entry to the next port of exit, which is mainly along the Beitbridge–Harare-Chirundu corridor.

“It sad to note that some of the implementing officers are not even aware of the routes and in addition they don’t give adequate information to the transporters.

“As a result Zimra is fining transporters $2 000, especially at Chirundu for not following the geo-fencing concept, though the seals will still be intact.

“We are appealing to Government to review these regulations and consult widely with all the concerned stakeholders,” added Mrs Hlanguyo.

Our Beitbridge Bureau is reliably informed that besides incurring the costs of $2 000 in fines (over geo-fencing), transporters are losing $500 per day due to the inefficiencies at the port of entry. In addition, they are fined $1 500 in situations where Zimra suspects the transporters tampered with the seals.

Ms Hlanguyo said the diversion (of Zimbabwe transit route) would also affect the Government economically and jeopardise the country’s relations in the region as a transit country.

Beitbridge Business Association chairman, Mr Nkululeko Milidi said too much rent seeking activities and controls at the border post were affecting the ease of doing business.

“As businessmen, we are worried with the current state of border management efficiency systems, where we have too many stakeholders collecting money and endless controls. The Government should reorganise the border post and create an enabling environment for regional and international trade,” he said.

“As it is the area is a nightmare for both ordinary people and businesses.”

Mr Milidi also told the Parliamentary Committee that the Government should expedite the modernisation of the border to meet world class standards.