Botswana ban of imported cars causes congestion at Vic Falls

The ban of unregistered imported second hand cars from Botswana's roads has resulted in congestion at Victoria Falls border post as importers are now driving through Zambia, raising the ire of tourism players in the resort.

Car dealers and individuals who import second- hand vehicles through Walvis Bay Port in Namibia used to drive through Botswana but have now been forced to come through Zambia and to Victoria Falls Border Post.

At the same time there are those who get their vehicles from Tanzania who are also using Victoria Falls Border Post and suddenly, there is congestion amid revelations that the systems at the border were more accustomed to handling and clearing trucks and tourists.

Reporters visited the Victoria Falls Border Post last week and observed that second hand vehicles dealers, shuttle buses carrying tourists and individuals were all mixed up as they waited for their turns to be cleared by the Customs and Excise officers.

Tourists said there should be separation of queues so that they pass through the border fast since they did not have a lot of paper work.

"All we need to do is getting our passports stamped but we are failing to do so because of the long queues. We have been here for a long time. If only they could make room for different queues," said Abraham Smits from South Africa.

Selina Moyo from Hwange said she had spent two days at the border as she waited for her turn to clear her vehicle.

"As you can see I am stuck here hopefully today I will be cleared," she said.

A tourism executive, Clement Mukwasi, said Zimra should allow for pre-clearance so that when vehicles reach the border, processing would be fast.

"Speaking as a tour operators, we are not happy with this development here. While it is good for the country since it means more resources to the Fiscus, it is painting a bad picture on the country. We can't be having tourists spending hours here. First preference should be tourists until Zimra sorts out its house," he said.

Another operator, Steve Jonasi, said a warehouse or clearing depot like the Manica depot in Beitbridge should be constructed so that all un-cleared vehicles are parked and the border remains free for other business.

A Zimra officer said they were used to clearing trucks, tourists and a few vehicles.

"The border is small and is not very commercial like Beitbridge and that is where the problem is. We need more staff and better systems so that we are able to deal with this sudden influx of second hand vehicles at the border," he said on condition of anonymity.

The Botswana government last March banned imported second-hand vehicles older than five years from its roads.

This was in compliance with a Southern Africa Customs Union agreement prohibiting use and registration of imported second-hand vehicles that are more than five years old.

"As you can see I am stuck here hopefully today I will be cleared"