Beitbridge route buses withdraw services

Hundreds of travelers, primarily cross-border traders and shoppers, were left stranded in Beitbridge on Wednesday as bus operators withdrew their services, fearing that their buses would be impounded during an ongoing operation targeting smuggled goods. The mass suspension of services left many passengers without transportation, with some buses being forced to offload passengers and park at the Beitbridge bus terminus.

The crackdown, aimed at curbing the smuggling of goods into Zimbabwe, has resulted in several buses being seized, with operators slapped with hefty fines of up to US$60,000 after being found carrying contraband items. These measures come after Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube's declaration last Friday, during the 2025 national budget presentation, of a "war on smuggling." Ncube's announcement granted the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) the authority to seize goods from importers who fail to provide proof of payment for customs duties.

Zimra officials have since ramped up operations, including mounting roadblocks and checkpoints along major routes leading to Zimbabwe's border posts. Armed police officers have supported Zimra agents, who are stopping vehicles coming from border towns and redirecting them to customs yards if they lack the required import documentation. The result has been a flurry of bus seizures and fines, leaving operators nervous about continuing their services.

"Some of us were ordered to return to the border post about 30 kilometers out of Beitbridge. We were escorted back, where our buses were thoroughly searched," said one of the stranded travelers, describing the experience. Other reports confirmed that buses and trucks traveling along the Harare-Beitbridge Highway, as well as in towns like Masvingo, Bulawayo, Mutare, and Chinhoyi, were also detained by authorities.

Targeted goods in the crackdown include a wide range of consumer products, such as rice, sugar, dairy, clothing, electrical appliances, and motor parts, as well as alcoholic beverages and cement. The seizure operation has affected both formal transport services and informal cross-border trade, which often involves goods smuggled across the dry Limpopo River.

At Beitbridge's Dulivhadzimo bus terminus, many buses had their passengers and luggage offloaded, with no buses departing for their destinations on Wednesday-a stark contrast to the usual bustling traffic. "Our employers have told us not to load goods," said one bus driver. "We've heard some buses have been fined up to US$60,000, and we are not ready to risk it."

Zimra has also hired casual workers to assist in handling the confiscated goods, with the customs warehouses at the border post becoming a temporary storage site for the seized items. The crackdown has been particularly disruptive for cross-border traders, many of whom rely on these routes to transport goods into Zimbabwe. The government's decision to enforce the smuggling crackdown has sparked fears among bus operators that they could face further penalties if they continue to operate under the current conditions.

As the festive season approaches, the situation has created a backlog of passengers in Beitbridge, with many travelers uncertain about when they will be able to continue their journey. The government's directive to tackle smuggling, while intended to protect local industries and enforce customs regulations, has resulted in significant disruptions for both travelers and transporters.