Beitbridge Border crackdown leaves buses stranded

Scores of buses remain stranded at the Beitbridge Border Post following intensified inspections by authorities targeting undeclared and commercial goods being transported through passenger vehicles.

Officials from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimbabwe Revenue Authority) are conducting thorough searches, focusing on items such as furniture and other goods suspected to be commercial cargo being moved without proper declaration.

"These chairs and tables belong to one person. They are commercial goods and should be transported by trucks, not buses, and they were not declared," one ZIMRA officer told New Ziana.

The operation has caused significant delays, with multiple buses reportedly held at inspection points as authorities verify cargo documentation.

Bus operators say it is common practice for goods purchased or arranged in South Africa to be transported via passenger buses to recipients in Zimbabwe, particularly along the busy Beitbridge corridor.

"These chairs are going to Harare, but the owner is in Pretoria. This operation is slowing our business," said one bus driver.

Truck operators, however, have welcomed the crackdown, saying buses have long undercut formal freight channels by carrying commercial goods without requiring the same permits and regulatory requirements.

"A bus is faster and does not require import permits or licences as is the requirement when goods are transported by truck as commercial consignments," said one transporter. "Clients prefer buses because of that."

He added that freight businesses have seen declining demand as a result of the practice.

Passengers travelling with small luggage have also been caught up in the delays, with some reporting long waiting times at the border.

"We arrived on Saturday evening, and our bus only reached the inspection bay today. I am exhausted," said one traveller.

The operation is believed to involve the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission), working alongside ZIMRA to enforce regulations requiring all commercial goods to be properly declared and transported through appropriate channels.

Officials are yet to issue an official statement on the ongoing operation, which has already disrupted cross-border travel and trade along one of Southern Africa's busiest routes.