- Current traffic at Beitbridge Border post has seen an unprecedented increase of over 100 percent in the last seven days
ZIMBABWE Revenue Authority (Zimra) is currently clearing and releasing on average +800 trucks per day at the Beitbridge Border post, compared to an average of +/-400 in 2019 resulting in intermittent traffic jams and lengthy vehicle queues.
The Beitbridge Annual Report for 2019 shows Zimra was clearing an average of 345 trucks per day.
The statistics from May 26 to June 1 show an average of 890 per day.
“The current traffic situation at Beitbridge Border post has seen an unprecedented increase of approximately over 100 percent in both import and export movement in the last few days,” Zimra said in a statement.
The revenue collecting arm of Government said it is taking steps, in partnership with various stakeholders, to improve the turnaround time.
The increase in traffic 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.
Zimra says, this development, has resulted in the increase in the flow of traffic through Beitbridge.
“This has imposed unanticipated strain on both border infrastructure and human resources for Zimbabwe and neighbouring country border stakeholders,” Zimra said.
“Zimra is working with regional counterparts in neighbouring countries to facilitate trade and travel. 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 said it is engaging with its various stakeholders in order to find ways of addressing the challenges through collaboration and teamwork.
“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,” Zimra said, adding:
“We continue 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.”
