Chronicle Editor
Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Reporter
A NEW-look Beitbridge Border Post which is shaping up following completion of the first phase under its ongoing US$300 million modernisation programme, has ignited excitement among the border town’s residents.
President Mnangagwa is expected to tour the project soon.
Modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post is in line with Vision 2030 of attaining an upper middle-income economy, and is one of the key projects being undertaken by the Second Republic to promote the ease of doing business and trade facilitation.
Civil works are being rolled out in three phases with new terminals being built for each vehicle category.
They will include new vehicle parking areas and feeder roadways.
The first phase was confined to upgrading the buildings, warehouses, roads, installing new weigh-bridges and a new main freight terminal building.
The second and third phases will involve construction of new terminals for buses, light vehicles and pedestrians.
There will also be construction of water and sewer reticulation infrastructure and 220 houses for border staff.
Completion of the entire project will spur economic growth in terms of regional trade and development.
The Beitbridge Border Post upgrade being implemented through a public-private partnership arrangement with ZimBorders, is the biggest investment for any city so far in the country.
It is being upgraded through a 17-year Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement between the Government and ZimBorders Consortium.
Under the initiative, the Government is providing technical support while ZimBorders, through various financial institutions, is funding civil works.
In interviews, residents lauded Government for the latest development saying upgrading of the border has changed the face of the border town.
Beitbridge Residents Association spokesperson Mr Jabulani Makhado said modernisation of the border post will enhance the economic status of the town.
“This project couldn’t have come at a better time than now. We really appreciate the efforts being made by Government, particularly when it comes to the issue of ease of doing business and facilitating trade,” Mr Makhado said.
“With a facility of this magnitude, we are assured of smooth movement of travellers since there is now a separation of traffic. This project will also improve the status of our town.”
Mr Makhado said modernisation of the border has also created an opportunity for residents to benefit through improved water supply and sewer reticulation.
“Our town has for years been dogged by constant water shortages and we are optimistic that it will soon be a thing of the past since this project entails the construction of a water reservoir and treatment plant.
“This will also pave way for implementation of the concept of a One Stop Border Post. This is a positive development and we are so excited that we can’t wait for the completion and subsequent reopening of the border,” he said.
Mr Ulungile Mudau, a local businessman said: “Beitbridge being a border town is actually the face of the country and we are glad modernisation of the border post will change the perception that travellers had about our country.”
Ms Nnditsheni Ndou of Dulivhadzimu said modernisation of the border was long overdue.
“For many years, our border post has been a laughing stock because of the poor infrastructure. When the project started, I never expected it would become such an impressive world class commercial hub,” she said.
Mr Joram Sithole, a local taxi driver said: “Modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post is clearly an indication that the Government under President Mnangagwa is action-oriented. Things are now moving and this massive project is testimony to that.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development Engineer Theodius Chinyanga told the Chronicle yesterday that although the newly-upgraded commercial terminal will officially “go-live” on October 6, the facility has already been opened to commercial traffic.
Eng Chinyanga said Government is impressed with the rate at which work is progressing.
“The first phase of the project is complete where we now have a maintenance building, which will basically house all systems at the border. There is also a new weighbridge and refurbished scanners and a warehouse, roads and parking,” he said.
“Everything is going on smoothly and contractors are actually ahead of schedule. President Mnangagwa will soon tour the project. Under the third phase, we are also putting a 11 million litre water reservoir so that the shortage of clean water in Beitbridge becomes a thing of the past. We are also constructing 220 houses for staff,” Eng Chinyanga said.
He said on completion of the modernisation project, the border post will have an increased capacity to deal with more traffic.
Beitbridge is one of the busiest border posts in Africa and does not only connect Zimbabwe and South Africa, but also serves as the transit point for the majority of north-south trade in Southern Africa.
Before its closure in January as part of the Covid-19 lockdown regulations, an estimated 20 000 people and 1 500 commercial trucks passed through the border post daily.
The numbers often doubled during public holidays and at times travellers and commecial truck drivers spent days waiting to be cleared.
In July 2018, President Mnangagwa presided over a ground-breaking ceremony at Beitbridge Border Post ahead of its revamp. — @mashnets
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