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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
THE government will soon announce a developer to upgrade infrastructure at Beitbridge border post to make it a one stop facility between Zimbabwe and South Africa. In an interview this week the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Cde Obedingwa Mguni said several companies had since sent their bids to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) for consideration.
He said the one stop border post concept could only be implemented after the upgrading of infrastructure. Cde Mguni said perennial staff shortage at the border was also affecting the smooth flow of both human traffic and cargo. The congestion and delays reportedly cost $200 million in lost production, tourism traffic and revenue per year.
“We’ve seen the artistic impression of the final outlook of the border and are confident that civil works will begin soon” he said.
He said the border upgrade will result in more houses being constructed for government workers.
“At the moment we’ve shortages of staff because of accommodation challenges. We need to attend to these issues as a matter of urgency,” said Cde Mguni.
He said the government appreciated efforts being made by customs, immigration and security in ensuring a smooth flow of operations adding: “but these need to be capacitated if we’re to make headway as a country.”
The Deputy Minister said the situation at the border post where delays were common, was promoting corruption as individuals paid to jump the queue.
Cde Mguni said the government was also mobilising resources to speed up the construction of two more border posts with South Africa with the view of relieving pressure at Beitbridge border post.
The border posts are located at Shashe (Mapungubwe) some 120 km west of Beitbridge town and Chitulipasi, 156km on the eastern side of the border post.
“Work here has been progressing at a snail’s pace but we’re working on speeding up the processes” he said.
About 95percent of cargo is transported by road in the region.
A delay of three days at the border is said to increase transport costs by about US$400 per truck per day, which is passed on to the importer.
Online Reporter