Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]
TRAVELLERS who passed through Beitbridge Border Post during the Easter holiday have commended the Government for improving efficiency at the country’s busiest inland port of entry, following the permanent separation of traffic streams and automation of most border services.
The US$300 million border modernisation project was implemented by the Government in partnership with Zimborders Consortium and has transformed the strategic crossing into a faster, more organised gateway for regional trade and travel.
The border post serves as a key transit point for travellers and transporters from Malawi, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The upgraded facility now has three dedicated terminals for freight, buses, pedestrians and private vehicles, alongside a range of new infrastructure that includes a port health centre, weighbridges, state warehouses, automated boom gates, baggage scanners, biometric access systems, mobile cargo scanners, more than 500 CCTV cameras, facial recognition technology and digital traffic flow systems.
Most services, including customs clearance, immigration and vehicle processing, have now been automated, sharply reducing the time travellers spend at counters.
Motorists interviewed at the border said they were now completing formalities in less than two hours, compared to the many hours — and sometimes days — previously lost to congestion and bottlenecks.
Mr Tellmore Masangudza, who was travelling from Harare, said digitisation had significantly improved the travel experience.
“The digitisation of services has made life easier for most motorists and we appreciate this improvement.
“Provided you have the necessary documents, you no longer spend more than 30 minutes to get your vehicle processed,” he said.
Mr Masangudza, however, expressed hope that delays on the South African side would also improve during peak periods.
Another traveller, Mr Gilbert Zhou, travelling from South Africa to Neshuro in Mwenezi District, said separating traffic by category had greatly improved efficiency.
“Separating traffic permanently according to categories was a brilliant idea. We are now getting services based on our sectoral needs as opposed to the previous setup where everyone was bunched together in one immigration hall,” he said.
Mr Zhou added that the electronic temporary import permit (e-TIP) system had become another major improvement, allowing travellers to apply online before arrival.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority has also deployed kiosks outside terminals to help travellers process declarations and vehicle clearance online.
A traveller, who preferred anonymity said accessing a temporary import permit had become easier because of the new assistance desks.
Assistant Regional Immigration Officer in charge of immigration at Beitbridge Border Post, Ms Canisia Magaya, said close co-ordination between Zimbabwean and South African border authorities had also played a critical role in reducing congestion.
“Before every major holiday, border authorities from both countries meet through the Inter-State committee to share traffic flow plans, assess readiness and resolve challenges in real time,” she said.
During off-peak periods, Beitbridge Border Post handles about 15,000 travellers, 120 buses, 2,100 light vehicles and 1,000 commercial trucks daily, with traffic volumes doubling during holiday peaks
