Inland checkpoints there to tighten anti-smuggling drive

THE Government has clarified that the establishment of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) inland checkpoints is a lawful and necessary response measure to curb rampant smuggling activities.

The move to allay fears of travellers and traders follows an outcry over the Zimra) inland checkpoint along the Beitbridge-Bulawayo highway near Gwanda.

In a detailed statement before the Senate, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, David Mnangagwa, provided the legal framework for the checkpoint while assuring the public that mechanisms are in place to prevent unnecessary inconvenience.

The clarification comes after travellers raised concerns regarding delays and duplication of processes, questioning why vehicles that had already been cleared at the Beitbridge Border Post were being subjected to further inspections further inland.

Dep Min Mnangagwa explained that the establishment of the Gwanda checkpoint is grounded in the Customs and Excise Act.

He cited Section 15 of the Act, which grants the Commissioner General of Zimra the authority to establish customs barriers on any road or route for the control of imports and exports.

The law stipulates that failure to stop at such a barrier constitutes an offence.

According to the Deputy Minister, the primary driver behind the introduction of these inland checkpoints is a high incidence of smuggling through porous entry points along the borderline on either side of the Beitbridge Border Post.

He said this vulnerability has allowed cross-border transporters to pick up smuggled goods after clearing the main border, undermining the integrity of the country’s controls.

“These searches are based on risk management to select which traffic to stop and search. Not all vehicles are stopped and where these are stopped, searches are conducted with passenger co-operation to avoid unnecessary delays,” said Dep Min Mnangagwa.

He added that the checkpoints are also manned by security personnel to address broader national security considerations.

Turning to the economic impact of potential delays along the crucial trade corridor, Dep Min Mnangagwa outlined a comprehensive strategy by Zimra to balance effective control with trade facilitation.

He emphasised that the authority is aligned with National Development Strategies, aiming to create efficient systems without compromising supply chain integrity.

He said to improve efficiency and reduce duplication, Zimra has implemented a raft of world-best practices and self-diagnostic measures to identify and address trade barriers.

These include significant border infrastructure upgrades, such as the completed modernisation at Beitbridge, with similar projects planned for Chirundu, Forbes, and Victoria Falls.

Operational hours have been extended to facilitate smoother traffic flow. Beitbridge, Forbes, and Victoria Falls border posts are now operating on a 24-hour basis during peak periods, while Plumtree has also transitioned to round-the-clock operations.

To further enhance capacity, the authority has undertaken additional staffing recruitment and invested in capacity building through internal and external training programmes.

“Technological modernisation is also at the forefront of the strategy. Systems such as the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA World), Electronic Cargo Tracking, and cargo and baggage X-ray scanners are being utilised.

“The deployment of sniffer dogs from the Canine Unit, drone technology for surveillance, and CCTV for remote supervision are bolstering enforcement capabilities. Biometric access technology is also being used to manage entry into high-security areas,” he said.

Furthermore, the introduction of pre-clearance facilities has enhanced turnaround times for compliant traders.

The accreditation of trusted traders under the Authorised Economic Operator Facility is also streamlining processes for vetted businesses.

These efforts are yielding tangible results, with Dep Min Mnangagwa revealing that the average Bill of Entry processing time has been significantly reduced from three hours and 42 minutes in 2022 to just two hours and 45 minutes as of the end of 2025.

He assured the nation and the travelling public that while the fight against smuggling necessitates vigilance through inland checks like the one at Gwanda, the Government remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade and travel with minimal disruption.