adminIn an interview recently, the Zimra Commissioner-General, Mr Gershem Pasi said the development would help ease congestion at the country’s border posts.
“Zimra has gone the e-Customs way, which is a new customs clearance system that enables our clients to clear their goods and make customs duty payments through the banking systems in the comfort of their homes,” said Mr Pasi.
“Our main objective is to reduce congestion at our border posts particularly at Beitbridge where you find people queuing for long hours to complete customs formalities hence we decided to move with technology.”
Mr Pasi challenged customs clearing agents to utilise the new systems rather than continue blaming Zimra for delays.
“We already have some people lodging their entries using e-Customs, which is being supported by Ascuada system and we urge clearing agents to take advantage of that new method so that they are able to serve their clients relatively quicker rather than blaming us for delays,” he said.
Customs clearing agents have on many occasions blamed Zimra for causing unnecessary delays at Beitbridge Border Post, resulting in several people, especially those importing cars, shunning the border post.
They accused the revenue collection utility of delaying in processing customs documents resulting in importers spending several hours at the border.
Mr Pasi, however, said as a long term solution to addressing the major challenges at Beitbridge Border Post, there was a need for the Government to develop a proper infrastructure.
“We are saying if the infrastructure is properly developed that will bring in efficiency at the Beitbridge Border Post and dramatically reduce the time spent by both passenger and vehicle freight traffic, particularly during the peak period when we normally handle an increased volume of traffic,” he said.
Congestion reportedly costs the Government about $200 million a year in lost production, tourism traffic and revenue.
Mr Pasi said the Government through the Ministry of Finance was in the process of negotiating with a new company, which would revamp Beitbridge Border Post.
Initially Government had awarded a $91 million contract for the re-development of Beitbridge Border Post to a South African firm under a public-private partnership.
Beitbridge Border Post, which is reported to be the busiest inland port of entry in sub-Saharan Africa, handles a huge volume of both human and vehicular traffic.
The border continues to face major congestion challenges particularly during holidays when most people would be travelling between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Beitbridge border handles about 10 000 travellers passing through daily with the figure doubling during the peak period.
Online Reporter