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Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
COACHES and bus operators in Zimbabwe have applauded the Government for clarifying the implementation of Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016, which removes listed goods from the open general import licence.
The new law, which came into effect on 1 July, tightens screws on the import of food items, building material, furniture, toiletries and cooking oil among other things.
The Government had to act swiftly to explain the implementation of the new law following violent protests that rocked Beitbridge border town a fortnight ago, which resulted in the burning down of Zimra warehouse and vandalism of 35 vehicles and other key infrastructure in the border town.
Coach and Bus Operators Association of Zimbabwe (CBOA) chief executive officer Mr Alex Kautsiro said lack of clarity had adversely affected their businesses, which dropped by at least 60 percent in the first week.
“As passenger transporters we feel the clarification the Government made is very important. However, we are not sure how significant this would change passengers’ minds. We will continue disseminating information to our operators for the benefit of passengers and hope that the relaxation on consumptive goods will bring back travellers onto our buses,” he said.
Mr Kautsiro expressed hope that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) would also review its earlier position on the seizure of vehicles transporting such listed goods without permits.
He said operators have started informing travellers on the “new order” and that they were hoping business would return to normal soon.
Earlier on Zimra had written to bus operators threatening to seize their buses should they be found carrying the listed items into the country without permits.
Clarifying the new law last week, the Government gave a reprieve to individual travellers who are now allowed to import the following items once per month; Coffee creamers/Cremora 1kg, Camphor creams, white petroleum jellies and body creams — not exceeding 180ml, cereals 2kg, potato crisps — 1 pack of 12 of 125g each, baked beans — 1 pack of 12 tins of 340g each, mayonnaise or salad cream — total not exceeding 2 litres, peanut butter 2kg, jams 2kg and canned fruits and vegetables — total not exceeding 2kg.
Other items are ice creams 1litre, cheese 1kg, yoghurts 1kg, shoe polish — 1 pack of 12 of 50ml or 40 g each, juice blends 4 litres, water pack of 12 of 500ml each, hair products — 6 packets of hair products of weight not exceeding 1.5kgs, washing powder 4kgs and bar soap — box of 24 bars.
The number of travellers using the border per day has started normalising from an average of 3,000 including both arrivals and departure to 10,000 per day following the clarification of the import restriction.
Online Reporter