Potraz moves to regulate omalayitsha

Bulawayo Bureau

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has widened the licensing categories to include cross-border transporters popularly known as omalayitsha, as it seeks to improve the postal and courier services industry efficiency and cost competitiveness.

Cross-border trading is a critical industry in Zimbabwe in terms of aiding trade and employing thousands of people along the value chain.

Riding on the proximity to mainly South Africa, Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner where many locals reside, omalayitsha have become popular, especially in the Matabeleland region as they bring monthly remittances and groceries.

Addressing delegates during a recent joint commemorations of World Post Day and International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) in Chivi, Potraz director-general Dr Gift Machengete said over eight billion parcels were being sent through the postal network each year across the globe.

In a digital era, he said the postal
services sector was certainly thriving on e-commerce, hence Potraz was putting up mechanisms to tap into such
potential growth by expanding licensing categories.

“We have expanded our licensing categories to include commercial inter-city courier licences and commercial intra-city courier licences,” he said.

“This move ensures the participation of small businesses in the courier services sector. The move also seeks to regularise operations of pirate courier operators commonly known as omalayitsha.”

Without further elaboration on the omalayitsha issue, the Potraz boss said going forward there is a need for the postal sector to fully tap into the growing financial inclusion drive, which is critical in aiding
the transformation of Zimbabwe’s economy.

“In addition to mail and parcel services, the posts are also a key player in financial inclusion around the world,” said Dr Machengete.

“In fact, the posts are the world’s second-largest contributor to financial inclusion, behind banks but well ahead of mobile phone operators and microfinance institutions. This too is driving postal sector revival and growth.”

Under the Potraz Licensee Register of Postal and Courier Operators, Zimbabwe has 11 domestic and international postal and courier service operators.

There are six domestic postal and courier companies — Unifreight Limited, ONE Logistics (Pvt) Ltd t/a Over Night Express, Tuma Logistics Pvt Ltd, Merchandise Carriers (Pvt) Ltd, Zimdelivery (Pvt) Ltd and Confident Courier (Pvt) Business Corporation.

International postal and courier services companies include Cheetah Express Logistics (Pvt) Ltd t/a FedEx, Trek Transport (Pvt) Ltd t/a Skynet Worldwide
Express, Swift, Zimbabwe Posts (Pvt)
Ltd t/a Courier Connect, Financial Strategies t/a UPS and DHL International (Pvt)Ltd.