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Beitbridge Bureau
THE processing of vehicle imports at Beitbridge Border Post has become a nightmare for many car dealers and individuals after the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) introduced a Zero Cash Office concept without prior notification. The development has seen many importers spending between two and three days to get the whole clearance process completed.
The Zero Cash Concept was muted by the parastatal in 2005 though they started implementing it at Beitbridge Border Post three weeks ago.
Under the new system, all payments to the parastatal must be made through the internet, point of sale machines or one has to deposit the money into Zimra’s CBZ Bank account.

It is understood that the zero cash office was open to anyone on ZimSwitch, Visa and MasterCard.
A visit to the border post by our Beitbridge Bureau revealed that some unscrupulous dealers had taken advantage of the situation and were hiring their Automated Teller Machine cards (ATM) for between $100 and $120 for them to make payments to Zimra.

A notice at the main cash office read, “Please note that no cash payment will be accepted with effect from 19 June 2013”
Car dealers and individuals said in separate interviews that the parastatal should have made the information readily available across the country rather than getting the news soon after getting to Beitbridge.

They also said they had challenges especially during the weekends when most banks would be closed and called on Zimra to make zero cash office an option rather than compulsory.

Zimra’s Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs Ms Florence Jambwa said yesterday the concept was mooted in 2005 as part of its strategy to improve convenience and security to its valued clients.

“Currently, most inland stations do not handle cash as clients simply make deposits into Zimra accounts.
“As you may appreciate, it is not safe for the transacting public in general and importers in particular to move around with cash.

“The point-of-sale machines which we have introduced at Beitbridge Border Post accept both ZimSwitch and international cards such as Visa and MasterCard, which makes it more convenient for our valued clients.

“Using online systems or the banking system to make duty and tax payments has advantages and provides greater convenience over bringing cash to Zimra offices in a number of ways.

“For instance, clients with Internet banking facilities can transfer funds to Zimra anytime (24 hours a day) from anywhere through their banks and they will be issued with instant receipts,” she said.

Ms Jambwa said they will soon be sending more swiping machines at Beitbridge Border Post in a bid to ensure efficiency.
She said they would also scale up information dissemination through all print and electronic media available, including Facebook, Twitter and the website.

She said the new zero cash office will ensure convenience for their clients and promote the use of “plastic money”, which essentially implies 24-hour banking service for them.

“In addition, clients can use Internet banking which is not time-bound. The swiping machines are usable by clients on ZimSwitch, Visa and MasterCard platforms. Therefore, all clients who have ZimSwitch, Visa and/or MasterCard swipe cards should be able to transact with Zimra,” said Ms Jambwa.