Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
VEHICULAR traffic has trebled at the Beitbridge Border Post as the country’s busiest port of entry records a surge in travellers returning home for the festive season, with foreign visitors also flocking in for holiday leisure.
According to the ZimBorders Consortium, which is managing the newly transformed Beitbridge Port of Entry as part of its 17-and-half-year concession with the Government, there has been a significant jump in light vehicle traffic this festive season.
During off-peak periods, the border typically processes around 300 light vehicles daily, but the number has risen to approximately 1 300 vehicles as holidaymakers flock to their destinations, said the agency.
The increase in traffic is attributed to the festive season, with Zimbabweans and travellers from neighbouring countries like Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique passing through Beitbridge.
The Government upgraded the border post for US$300 million under a private-public partnership with the ZimBorders Consortium.
To effectively manage the influx, authorities have implemented an integrated traffic-flow management system, permanently separating traffic into categories for buses, light vehicles, freight, and pedestrians. This has significantly reduced congestion and waiting times.
Speaking during the three-day working visit by Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, who was accompanied by Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe,
ZimBorders Consortium general manager, Mr Nqobile Ncube, said operations had been improving in the last three years.
“What has been happening for the past two days is that we have noticed an increase in light vehicles. These are important to us because they are our visitors and family members coming back for the holiday who have been on the road for a very long time,” said Mr Ncube.
“It’s our desire that they spend the least time on the ground and from a ZimBorders perspective, we have put out our system to ensure the three terminals are permanently staffed to attend to all challenges timeously.
“So far, we have not encountered any glitch that has been adverse to operations. We are so grateful for the presence of the two ministers of Tourism and Hospitality (Barbara Rwodzi) and Minister Albert Nguluvhe. This gives a political weight to border processes that we are looking at.”
Minister Nguluvhe commended the Beitbridge border agencies for improving service delivery and also encouraged them to have bilateral engagements with the South Africans to ensure smooth operations.
He said the situation where traffic was flowing on one side and was delayed on the other side should be a thing of the past.
Hence, exchanging notes through the inter-border management committee was critical to drive efficiencies at the country and SADC’s busiest land borders.
“We are happy with what we are seeing on the ground. There is a great co-ordination among border agencies at Beitbridge. This is the kind of service delivery we expect across the ports of entry to boost tourists’ arrival,” said Minister Rwodzi.
“The Department of Immigration, as the first point of call at the border, has done well and we are happy that the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has also opened more service points and kiosks to assist motorists applying for Temporary Import Permits (TIPs) for foreign-registered vehicles,” she added.
“This whole Government approach is being affected here and is very efficient. There are still many people coming into the country and vehicles and through interrelations, the processes have been streamlined to deliver efficiency to our visitors.
“We are also having a team from the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality carrying out the meet and greet programme that includes welcoming visitors and assisting with related travel issues.”
A similar jump in the number of travellers has been recorded at Plumtree, Maitengwe, Mlambaphele and Mpoengs Border Posts, with the Government facilitating 24-hour operations in some ports of entry toensure smooth movement of people and goods for trade.
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