Sundaymail EditorThupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
The Zimborders Consortium, which has transformed the Beitbridge Border Post in partnership with the Government, is urging travellers to plan their trips carefully and utilise the correct terminals during the Easter holidays to avoid unnecessary hold-ups at Zimbabwe’s busiest Port of Entry (PoE).
Already, Zimbabwean and South African border authorities are implementing integrated plans to clear traffic during this week, which has already started building up on both sides of the border.
Soon after the border transformation, traffic was permanently separated into cargo, buses, pedestrians and light vehicles (terminals) on the Zimbabwean side, while the South Africans are opening more service points to cater for customised traffic.
Zimborders Consortium modernised Beitbridge Border Post under a US$300 million project and is managing the facility for 17 and a half years, collecting its investment through border user fees, as part of the agreement with Government.
After which the Government will take over the building under the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) model.
Zimborders Consortium’s general manager, Mr Nqobile Ncube, said transporters and travellers had started reaping the fruits of the project.
He said working with other Government agencies, a final plan had been crafted and activated for the Easter and Independence holidays.
This includes the deployment of additional staff, opening up of more service points, increased travel information dissemination, tightening security to flash out touts and irregular migrants at the port of entry and harmonising controls and operations amongst other strategies.
“You will note that the Easter and festive season are some of the major peak periods at this border and hence all stakeholders have put plans in place to ensure that travellers enjoy the premium of passing through this facility,” said Mr Ncube.
He said Zimborders has created an information centre on their website www.zimborders.com where members of the public may access the general travel information about Beitbridge.
“Where possible travellers are advised to use the pre-clearance facilities or make use of the electronic tip system for those who wish to travel into Zimbabwe with foreign registered vehicles to expedite their time at the border,” he said.
“The pre-clearance systems involve declaring imports and paying duty and the necessary levies before one arrives at the desired port of entry, thus cutting physical border processes upon arrival.
“In addition, we encourage travellers to plan their journeys and stagger movement so that they don’t run into any congestion. They could stagger movement and upon reaching the border we have marshals directing them to various terminals where they will get customised services depending on their needs.”
Online Reporter