adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has threatened to seize cross border buses that transport goods banned under statutory instrument number 64 of 2016 into the country. The instrument tightens screws on imports of basic commodities without licences. The parastatal has since written to cross-border transporters warning them against carrying goods which are restricted under the open general import licence.
According to the letter written by Zimra’s Beitbridge region manager, Mr Batsirai Chadzingwa, which is in our possession, transporters risk losing their vehicles if they are found with the listed items without the proper documents.
“The gazetting of statutory instrument 62 of 2016 removed various products that you ordinarily transport across the border under the open general import licence. This means that affected goods listed in the S.I require one to be in possession of the requisite import license before importation is authorised.
“We are appealing to you the transporters not to load any controlled goods for export to Zimbabwe when the owner has not shown you the proof that he/she has the import licence,” said the Zimra in the letter.
The organisation also said the transporters should properly declare the goods on a manifest which would then be surrendered to Zimra officials when they go through the clearance process.
“Please note that your bus/kombi/vehicle will be seized in the event that you transport any controlled goods in the absence of the import licence to cover the importation,” said the organisation.
Zimra has been forced to suspend rolling out the new regulations, which made the import of food items, building material, furniture, toiletries and cooking oil among other things virtually impossible without permits due to resistance by travellers.
There was chaos at Beitbridge border post again on Saturday afternoon with travellers resisting the seizure of the imported of goods.
Anti-riot police had to be called in to calm the situation for the second time.
Some of the listed goods include; salad cream, milk, shoe polish, cooking oil, bottled water, doors and window frames, wheel barrows, baked beans, fertiliser, beds, office furniture, second hand tyres, vegetables, canned fruits, cereals, cheese and ice creams among others.
At the moment people are being allowed to import these after paying 40 percent duty.
By last night very few people were seen at the border making payments for various products that were restricted under the new import regulations.
The Coach and Bus Operators Association (CBOA) chief executive officer, Mr Alex Kautsiro, confirmed receiving the letter from Zimra last night.
“Yes, that is very true, we indeed received the document from Zimra and we responded to them officially on our position regarding this matter. Unfortunately, we cannot get into the merits of our response until such a time we have completed our engagement. From discussions already held though we feel we are not too far apart from agreeing on a position that will be amicable,” he said.
Mr Kautsiro said the ban affected most travellers who were traders and it meant a drop in business for transporters.
He said information from their members indicated that the number of travellers had reduced by 60 percent since the introduction of the ban.
“This is a very significant number considering these passengers are making a living from purchasing cheaper goods in neighbouring countries and reselling them for a profit in Zimbabwe.
“We have thus far informed our members of the existence of Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 and for them to inform their passengers of the implications should they travel without the necessary permits,” Mr Kautsiro said.
He added that comprehensive stakeholders’ consultations should always be undertaken to assess the effects of any policy direction on all relevant economic sectors.
“Transport is currently one of the largest employers in the country, but has been adversely affected by this decision to the extent that the number of buses running on these routes has been abruptly reduced by 50 percent in just a week,” Mr Kautsiro said.
Zimra’s communications department did not respond to emailed questions, while the organisation’s board chairperson Mrs Willia Bonyongwe could not be reached through her mobile phone.
Online Reporter