Queues resurface at border post as injiva flock to base

Mr Gwede said as part of a decongestion drive they were working with the police to control the movement of traffic into the border area. “We are only allowing traffic to enter into the border in small batches so that we are able to reduce congestion,” he said

Beitbridge Border Post in 2011 recorded a sharp increase in the number of travellers who passed through during the festive period compared to the previous year. Most of the travellers were Zimbabweans working in South Africa who were visiting their families and relatives back home.

According to the immigration figures, 51 601 people passed through the port of entry between Christmas Day and 28 December 2011, an increase compared to 18 222 during the same period in 2010.

Mr Gwede said on average they handled between 80 and 120 buses on either side during the peak period.

Chronicle also observed that the arrival side was less busy as it was characterised by short queues and the volume of traffic had also gone down substantially compared to the period during the run up to Christmas.

In separate interviews, travellers commended the local immigration officials, saying they were spending less hours in the queues.

“The queues on the Zimbabwean side are moving very fast and I certainly would like to urge authorities to continue with their sterling job,” said Ms Grace Tshuma, who is based in Sandton, Johannesburg in South Africa.

Another injiva, Mr Mthulisi Ndlovu who is based in Pretoria echoed Ms Tshuma’s sentiments: “Although there are long queues on the Zimbabwean side, officials are faster in clearing travellers unlike on the South African side where we usually spend several hours during this time of the year.

“We continue to urge both Zimbabwean and South Africa border authorities to address issues of congestion as a matter of urgency.”

Beitbridge is reportedly the busiest inland port of entry in sub-Saharan Africa, which handles a huge volume of traffic mostly commercial vehicles including those destined for neighbouring countries such as Zambia, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On average the border handles about 8 000 travellers daily with the figures increasing to 20 000 during the peak period such as the festive season.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Border Control Operation Coordinating Committee (BCOCC) spokesperson Mr Patrick Moengs said they were also reviewing plans to address congestion at their side of the border. “We are reviewing plans to see how best we can improve our roads as more people from neighbouring countries would be entering the country through Beitbridge Border Post following the end of the festive period.

“As BCOCC we want to ensure a smooth flow of traffic at the Beitbridge border as it will be coming from the other side of the borders,” Mr Moeng said.