admin
Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The Coach and Bus Operators Association (CBOA) last week said they were looking forward to an improvement in their business due to an anticipated increase in people travelling within and outside the country’s border to purchase basic commodities following Government’s suspension of Statutory Instrument (SI) 122 of 2017.
CBOA chief executive Mr Alex Kautsiro said business had dropped by 40 percent. Government lifted the restrictions on imports of specified goods, which initially required permits under Statutory Instrument 122 of 2017.
Goods covered under the suspension are animal oils and fats (lard, tallow and dripping), baked beans, body creams, bottled water, cement, cereals, cheese, coffee creams, cooking oil, crude soya- bean oil, fertiliser, finished steel roofing sheets, wheat flour and ice cream. Those with free funds can also bring in jams, juice blends, margarine, mayonnaise, packaging materials, peanut butter, pizza base, potato crisps, salad creams, shoe polish, soap, sugar, synthetic hair products, wheel barrows, agrochemicals and stock feeds.
“At this juncture we are not sure what influence both negative or positive this move will have on the number of passengers using our coaches. We will, however, continue monitoring the situation and make the necessary adjustments to our operations. We had experienced over 40 percent reduction in passenger movement over the years. This had put a lot of pressure on existing companies who were struggling to break even. Our association has 30 members with buses and 10 who do not operate buses,” said Mr Kautsiro.
He dismissed notions that cross- border buses were being used to transport commercial cargo from neighbouring countries, mainly South Africa.
“We were also surprised by these assertions as people bring their luggage, which unfortunately may include groceries and furniture items that they wish to accompany. We can only react to the market and introduce appropriate mechanisms to address our passengers’ needs,” he said.
In separate interviews travellers urged the Government to further lift restrictions on fuel, washing powder and to review import duty from around 40 percent for most products to between 10 and 15 percent.
A traveller who preferred anonymity said: “We welcome the Government’s decision but we feel they need to include washing powder and fuel on that list (list of liberalised goods). They should also review duty. They need to open another cash office to cater for cross-border traders at the Malume Zone (Red Route).”
Beitbridge Business Association chairperson Mr Nkululeko Milidi said Government’s move was a relief since most of them were struggling to get import permits from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
“The construction industry has been the worst affected especially on issues on infrastructure development in Beitbridge. Most projects had either been suspended or were progressing at a slow pace because of the import restrictions,” he said.
Meanwhile, there was chaos in Beitbridge on Tuesday evening when drivers of vehicle carriers delivering imported vehicles into the country from South Africa refused to offload them at Malindi Transit Shed demanding to be paid incentives by the owners of the bonded warehouse. It is understood that things came to standstill between 5pm and 7pm when some of the drivers demanded to be paid to offload the vehicles.
Under the current set-up, the two transit sheds are an extension of the border post and are used to process vehicle imports, mostly pre-owned vehicles. Witnesses said the drivers demanded money from Malindi Transit Shed but their request was turned down and they threatened to offload the cars at Manica.
The transit sheds reportedly make money through storage and handling fees.
“The situation was saved by the police who intervened resulting in some drivers offloading at Malindi. You will note that the vehicle careers will be having manifest indicating where they are supposed to offload the vehicles.
“However, the drivers are in the habit of demanding bribes from the owners of the warehouses so that they give them business. When they failed to get the money from Malindi some drove to Manica warehouse,” said a border official who preferred anonymity.
The official said the transporters were later allowed to offload at Manica following the intervention of Zimra and the police.
Online Reporter