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Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
The Zanu PF Economic Development Cluster has praised President Mnangagwa for leading the transformation of the Beitbridge Border Post, a key project under the Second Republic.
The transformation, at a cost of US$300 million, was completed under a 17-and-half-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession with the Zimborders Consortium.
Beitbridge serves as a crucial link between Zimbabwe, South Africa, and other SADC and East African countries.
In the past, inefficiencies led many travellers to avoid the border, resulting in significant revenue losses for Zimbabwe as transporters opted for routes through Botswana or Mozambique.
In 2018, the Government took steps to revamp Beitbridge to address the challenges, with substantial improvements noted since then. Under the concession, Zimborders provided funding and is now managing the facility while the Government contributed land and technical services.
The new border infrastructure features cutting-edge technology, expanded capacity, and improved security measures.
The project has led to better revenue collection, trade facilitation, and traffic management, showcasing a model for infrastructure development in the region.
Beitbridge Border has hosted numerous Government officials, including South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, emphasising its importance.
The transformation aligns with Zimbabwe’s vision to become a prosperous, upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
Zanu PF Politburo members, Retired Lieutenant General Engelbert Rugeje who is the Secretary for Economic Affairs, Cde Elifasi Mashaba the Secretary for Business Development and directors, Cde Annastancia Ndlovu (Economic Affairs), Cde Collen Mharadzano (Business Development) and Cde Francis Hungwe (Economic Development and Empowerment), visited the border to familiarise with operations.
Speaking during the tour, Lt Gen (Rtd) Rugeje said: “The advent of the Second Republic ushered in a new vision for Zimbabwe to become a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society earlier than 2030.
“As such, the ZANU PF Government has adopted the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1 2021-2025), a development plan that embraces political, economic, and social spheres towards sustainable development, ‘leaving no one and no place behind’.
“The resilience of the economy is also a clear testimony of the visionary and astute leadership of His Excellency, President Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. His administration continues to come up with potent economic policies, and interventions that continue to change the fortunes of the economy amid adversity.”
Cde Mashaba said the new Beitbridge Border Post is revolutionising trade and travel between Zimbabwe, her neighbours and the international community.
“We want to thank our President, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa for his vision and leadership,” he said, highlighting the importance of a proactive work ethic among border agencies for the full realisation of this modernisation initiative.
“The New Dispensation, through a robust private-public partnership with the Zimborders Consortium has turned a new leaf at Beitbridge. The re-organisation of the border has resulted in improved revenue generation and collection, enhanced trade facilitation, effective traffic control with the use of ICT.
“In fact, this milestone project has become a pacesetter in the region in terms of driving infrastructure development initiatives.”
The project was executed in three phases to minimise disruptions.
Phase 1 included the freight terminal, road improvements, and ICT upgrades.
Phase 2 involved the construction of a bus terminal, while Phase 3 focused on the light vehicle terminal and external works.
Online Reporter