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Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
COMPLETION of the US$300 million Beitbridge Border Post modernisation by Zimbabwe has paved the way for the implementation of the one-stop border post with South Africa, with travellers being cleared just once through both sets of customs and immigration.
The one-stop initiative is designed to streamline customs and immigration processes by consolidating them into a single location, with travellers just stopping once, thereby reducing delays, and improving the flow of goods and people across the border.
The Beitbridge Border Post modernisation project’s completion marks a significant step towards achieving this goal, promising to boost economic activity and co-operation between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Officials are optimistic that the new border arrangements will attract more investment and enhance the overall competitiveness of the Sadc region. By simplifying border procedures, the OSBP is expected to reduce logistical costs, enhance trade efficiency, and improve the overall experience for travellers and businesses. The successful implementation of the one-stop border post will serve as a model for other regional integration efforts, demonstrating the benefits of collaborative infrastructure and cross-border co-operation. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to foster economic growth and regional integration in Southern Africa.
Beitbridge is one of the busiest border posts in Africa, which not only connects Zimbabwe and South Africa, but also serves as the transit point for the majority of north-south trade in Southern Africa.
The major modernisation was one of the milestone projects undertaken by the Second Republic to enhance the ease of doing business and trade facilitation for the whole region.
The upgrade was implemented through a public-private partnership arrangement with ZimBorders Consortium through a 17-year concession of Build, Operate and Transfer.
Under the initiative, the Government provided technical support while ZimBorders, through various financial institutions, funded civil works.
In an interview, ZimBorders Consortium general manager Mr Nqobile Ncube said; “This infrastructure in all the three phases came with foresight and the facilities are designed in the open space element because we had the foresight of future developments. So, the designs recognise that at some point there is going to be a one-stop system between Zimbabwe and South Africa going either way.”
“There won’t be any structural adjustments or demolition to fit the one-stop concept when it comes into play. In our case, we are ahead of our counterparts on legislation and infrastructure, and already we have an operational one-stop border at Chirundu between Zambia and Zimbabwe.”
Mr Ncube said the border modernisation was crucial in implementing the Border Efficiency Management System (BEAMS) which is key to the implementation of the one-stop-border post.
He said the first goal of the border upgrade was traffic separation which was done through the construction of the freight, bus and light vehicles and pedestrian terminals.
“You will note that on traffic separation, the designs paid attention to the particular and specific needs of the specific group going through a specific terminal.
“As it stands, commercial cargo, buses and light vehicles are getting customised services at the specific terminals and this is a premium to the envisaged one-stop border,” said Mr Ncube.
Beitbridge Border Post authorities are currently processing up to 1 000 commercial trucks, 1 100 light vehicles and 200 buses daily.
Zimbabwe and South Africa have for over a decade been planning to have a one-stop border post to improve the flow of people and cargo between the two countries.Under a one-stop border, traffic will be cleared once on either the departure or arrival side with immigration and customs systems being harmonised.
In 2022, South Africa’s Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs visited the border and identified the implementation of a one-stop border post and the roll-out of the Border Management Authority as the key factors to resolving the challenges at all its borders.The committee said such a move would ensure the seamless movement of people.
The South Africa side of the border is synonymous with congestion, particularly during peak periods such as the festive season resulting in travellers spending several hours awaiting customs and immigration clearance.
In February 2020, former South African Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, announced plans to implement one-stop border posts, particularly with Zimbabwe, due to the huge volume of traffic passing through the port of entry.
Online Reporter