Haulage truck operators shun Beitbridge border post

Bottlenecks in documentation processing and poor infrastructure at the Beitbridge border post are throwing spanners in the government's initiative to ease the way of business as several haulage truck operators now opt to pass through the country's neighbours', thereby depriving the country of millions of dollars in potential revenue.

It emerged during the tour of Beitbridge border post that truck drivers are spending over three days before their papers are cleared by custom officials with some of them ending up losing their properties to daring thieves who have become a menace at the country's busiest entry and exit point prompting some drivers to look for alternatives.

Some truck drivers who spoke to ZBC News said the several roadblocks by the Zimbabwe Republic Police are also forcing some truck operators to shun using the border post despite the fact that Zimbabwe provides the shortest route to pass through to the southern parts of the continent from South Africa.

House of assembly member for Makonde constituency who chairs the foreign affairs committee, Cde Kindness Paradza said the situation at Beitbridge border post requires urgent attention as it affects government's efforts of regional integration and trade.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is aware of the challenges taking place at the country's busiest border post and is putting in place mechanisms to address the problems, said the company's board secretary, Ms Florence Jambwa.

The parliamentary portfolio committee team which was touring the borders in the southern region also toured Plumtree border post and will now heard to Victoria Falls after having visited Nyamapanda and Forbes border posts.