New digital cross-border permits launched

Freeman Razemba Senior Reporter

Digital cross-border permits for transport within SADC and carrier licences for passenger and transport operators for use within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) were launched last week to facilitate the smooth and unimpeded flow of traffic between countries.

The Government’s new ICT system for processing these permits and licences is fully integrated with the Central Vehicle Registry to validate vehicle licencing and registration details.

In a statement, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the digital cross border permits and COMESA carrier licences for passenger and freight transport operators were launched last Thursday.

“A digital cross border permit is issued in terms of Article 4 of the Bilateral Road Transport Agreements signed between Zimbabwe and SADC member states. Similarly, a COMESA carrier licence is issued in terms of Article 85 of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Treaty.

“The bilateral road transport agreements and the COMESA Treaty are meant to facilitate the smooth and unimpeded flow of cross-border traffic between countries,” he said.

“These permits and licences have a digitally signed barcode which is readable by any mobile device. It is now easier for both local and regional traffic law enforcement agents to verify and validate the authenticity of the permits and licences.

“Our new ICT system for processing these permits and licences is fully integrated with the Central Vehicle Registry to validate vehicle licencing and registration details. This system is also integrated with insurance companies to validate statutory third-party motor insurance and passenger liability cover.

“This will enhance the ease of doing business for transport operators who will enjoy the convenience of reduced waiting times when they apply for the new permits and licences issued at our Road Motor Transportation offices situated in all the provincial centres across the country,” Minister Mhona said.

Last year, Government also launched a new digital route permit for public service buses which has counterfeit deterrence measures readable by any mobile phone.

Again the new ICT system for processing this route permit was fully integrated with the Central Vehicle Registry to validate vehicle licencing and registration details.