Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE movement of commercial cargo at the Beitbridge border post is gradually improving after the Border Efficiency Management Committee introduced a raft of measures to clear traffic last week.
In the past two weeks, trucks drivers were spending four to seven days to leave or enter Zimbabwe due to heavy congestion at Sadc’s busiest inland port.
The delays heightened at the opening of the new freight terminal where traffic flow had teething challenges relating to tolling and coordination among the critical border stakeholders.
Truck drivers staged a passive protest, complaining about the new high border access fees of an average US$200 per truck without matching services.
Some drivers were reportedly entering the border without processing their customs documents thereby blocking those with pre-cleared cargo.
According to a border official, they opened an express lane for those carrying transit cargo and those with pre-cleared goods.
“As a committee, we have had to adjust where things were not moving and we are getting the results; the passage is becoming seamless. Those who have pre-cleared their cargo before arrival at the port are using the fast lane (green route), while those with outstanding are using the other route via the new terminal,” said the official.
The border official said it was critical for transporters to use the pre-clearance facility to avoid unnecessary delays at the port.
Zimborders Consortium chief executive officer Mr François Diedrechsen said they were working round the clock to address all emerging bottlenecks for the smooth flow of traffic.
“Things are improving with each day and we have made headway on southbound traffic. At the moment, we are busy facilitating a speedy flow of incoming traffic where there is still a huge backlog.
“The opening of an express lane for all cargo vehicles which arrive and have their paperwork done and ready has become helpful. We are hoping that with more transporters embracing the pre-clearance system, we will have less delays,” said Mr Diedrechsen.
Zimborders is responsible for operations and maintenance of the new freight terminal under a 17-and-a-half years Build Operate Transfer agreement with the Government.
The consortium is providing the funding to upgrade the border at a cost of US$300 million, while Government provides technical support.
To address the chaos on their side, the South Africans are re-routing all Zimbabwe bound commercial trucks to truck stops where they will only leave for the border upon completion of all necessary pre-clearance procedures.
Spokesperson of the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety Mr Mike Maringa said trucks were being re-directed some 50km before reaching the Beitbridge border post.
He said the move would ensure there was less congestion on the N1 highway between now and the festive season. — @tupeyo.
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