adminMunicipal Correspondent
Cross-border traders in Zimbabwe can now buy South African products at a special shop in Beitbridge, where they obtain them at the same prices they are charged in shops across the border.
Since cargo can cross the border legally, although the travelling public cannot, South African businesses have been engaged to bring stock for the new shop across the border, with traders able to buy without crossing the border.
Now, the Cross-Border Traders Association of Zimbabwe, organisers of the new deal, are negotiating with Government to provide Zupco buses that can transport the traders to Beitbridge, under appropriate conditions.
Government and World Health Organisations regulations will be strictly followed to reduce Covid-19 infection.
The Cross-Border Traders Association of Zimbabwe is led by Mr Killer Zivhu.
“Covid-19 restrictions resulted in the closure of the busiest land port in Southern Africa at Beitbridge, a move that has affected almost all Zimbabwean cross border traders who rely on South Africa to replenish their stock,” said the association in a statement.
The association said the new arrangement had many advantages to the cross-border traders.
“Apart from complying with the Covid-19 travel restrictions, cross-border traders will also save some money due to the shorter distances that they will now be travelling and other expenses they used to incur on their long trips,” it said.
The traders have said they want to pay school fees as schools prepare to reopen in a few weeks and most of them rely on buying and selling goods from South Africa.
“We think this move comes handy as it will enable us to restart our businesses because of the availability of goods locally,” said the association. “We want to help our Government and the President during this difficult time of Covid-19 by playing our part to ensure no one starves during this lockdown period.”
The association said the opening of the shop in Beitbridge was another way of minimising the spread of Covid-19 between the two countries.
But the beneficiaries must first register their businesses in compliance with Government directives and after that they can start accessing the goods in Beitbridge, said the association.
“Those with problems with registering their businesses can come to the association for assistance and facilitation,” it said.
The association also wants its members included in the SMEs facility, which Government recently announced, while calling on those with free funds to provide loans to the cross-border traders to help re-start their businesses.
Online Reporter