Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
THE modernisation of Beitbridge Border Post has ushered in a new era for trade and travel in Southern Africa, with Zimbabwe emerging as a model for inland port development in the region, Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Omphile Marupi, has said.
Speaking during a media tour of the upgraded facility yesterday, Dr Marupi said the US$300 million transformation, implemented under a public-private partnership between the Government and Zimborders Consortium, has drastically improved efficiencies, cut congestion and enhanced security, setting the tone for regional integration and economic growth.
He said the port of entry has become a benchmark for other countries in the region that are seeking to modernise their own border infrastructure.
“Things have changed for the better at the SADC region’s busiest inland ports of entry.
“You will realise that the border has become a model for other countries in the region who want to expand and modernise their infrastructure,” he said.
“We are happy with the progress on the ground. However, we must be futuristic and build on the success of this project going forward.”
Strategically located as the busiest inland port in SADC, the upgraded Beitbridge Border Post now serves as a critical trade and transit hub for Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Angola, DRC, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana and beyond.
The revamped border post features three separate terminals for freight, buses and light vehicles, including pedestrian traffic.
This separation has significantly improved traffic flow and reduced processing times for both cargo and human traffic.
Zimborders Consortium general manager Mr Nqobile Ncube said the modernisation has increased processing capacity and turnaround time for trucks.
“Before the upgrade, trucks would take up to 72 hours to cross. Now, we’re clearing 46 percent of all commercial traffic within three hours and we are now handling over 900 trucks daily, with a capacity to process 1 000,” he said.
Monthly commercial truck volumes have gradually increased, with 27 300 trucks processed in May, 27 900 in June and 28 800 in July.
“The premium of this border should be efficiencies because there is an added cost to the border users. Therefore, we can’t afford to derail progress,” said Mr Ncube.
He also highlighted the positive local employment impact, saying 36 percent of Zimborders’ workforce at the border post is drawn from the surrounding communities.
The transformation has not gone unnoticed. South Africa has since announced plans to upgrade six of its own land ports of entry, including its side of Beitbridge.
Recently, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority’s (Zimra) Commissioner for Customs, Mr Batsirai Chadzingwa, confirmed growing regional and continental interest in the project, including from African union stakeholders. Travellers and truck drivers have welcomed the changes.
Mr Kuzvidza, a truck driver, said: “There is now a new order of business. Traffic separation is a game changer and everyone knows where to park and how the process flows. It’s nothing like the 2017 experience.”
Another driver, Mr Mugove Hombarume, added: “I was cleared in just 45 minutes. This is a big shift from spending three days here like we used to.”
Bus passengers also commended the improvements, particularly the use of baggage scanners and dedicated terminals.
