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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has introduced the Zero Cash Office at the Manica Transit Shed where motor vehicles imported into the country through Beitbridge border post are cleared.It is understood that the move is in line with the organisation’s thrust to automate the valuation of customs duty on vehicle imports to improve efficiency and reduce corruption.

Under the new arrangement, clients make payments to Zimra through point of sale machines or online rather than carrying hard cash.

The point-of-sale machines accept both Zimswitch and international cards such as Visa and MasterCard, which makes it more convenient for the transacting public.

The Zero Cash Office was introduced at Beitbridge Border Post on June 19 last year though clients would shuttle between Manica Transit Shed and the main cash office (4km away) at the border post.

According to a notice at the bonded warehouse in Beitbridge, the development is with effect from June 12.

Those with cash have been advised to make payments through the banks.

“Manica Cash Office . . . please be advised that Manica Cash Office will be operating with effect from June 12, 2014 from 0800 hours to 1700 hours. Only clients with successful transactions from banks and those using the swipe cards will be served.

“Number plates, failed duty transactions from banks and those paying state warehouse rent and fines will be served at Beitbridge border post,” read part of the notice.

It is also reported that the main cash office at the border post will remain operational on a 24-hour basis.

In a recent interview, Zimra’s Director of Corporate and Legal Affairs, Florence Jambwa, said the Zero Cash Office concept was introduced in 2005 as part of their strategy to consistently improve convenience and security for its clients.

She said at the moment most inland stations were not handling cash and clients were depositing the money into Zimra’s bank accounts.

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

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

About 200 second-hand cars are imported into the country every day with Zimra processing customs documents for at least 80 vehicles per day and these pay an average of $2,000 in import duty.

A further 200 arrive in the country each day through less busy border posts such as Plumtree, Chirundu and Kazungula.