Zimbabwe boosts border efficiency for festive season

Beitbridge Border Post, one of the busiest entry points into Zimbabwe, is preparing for a surge in traffic as authorities reactivate the Border Efficiency Management Systems (BEMS) in anticipation of an increase in travelers during the Christmas and New Year period.

The festive season is historically one of the peak times at Beitbridge Border Post, exerting significant pressure on resources while raising security concerns for both travelers and local communities on the Zimbabwe-South Africa border. With a typical daily flow of 15,000 travelers, 120 buses, 2,000 light vehicles, and 1,000 commercial trucks, the volume triples during peak periods like the Christmas season.

Since the US$300 million expansion project, the border has undergone significant transformation, including the automation of processes and the construction of three terminals to handle increased traffic. The modernized facilities now cater to different categories of travelers: commercial vehicles, buses, light vehicles, and pedestrians. This has streamlined clearance processes and enhanced the efficiency of border management.

In an interview, Mrs. Canisia Magaya, Assistant Regional Immigration Officer in charge of Beitbridge (Zimbabwe), confirmed that additional staff had been deployed following a review of personnel due to the expanded border facilities. "We are ready to handle any increase in traffic during the festive season, and we have suspended all off and leave days so that we operate with a full-strength staff complement," said Mrs. Magaya.

The online border management system will also play a key role in reducing clearance times, and help desks will be set up to assist travelers with immigration-related queries and challenges. Travelers are advised to use the immigration counters directly to avoid fraudulent clearances through fake stamps, as there is no need for agents during the process.

Mrs. Silibaziso Nkala, the Beitbridge Port Health Officer, highlighted the installation of thermo scanners three months ago, which will expedite traveler screening. "We are ready with our teams to ensure health safety, and we will assist travelers who are ill, providing them priority services and transferring them to a local hospital if necessary," she said. Additionally, food inspections have been intensified to ensure compliance with Zimbabwe's food regulations.

The ZimBorders Consortium, a private-public partnership (PPP) managing and maintaining the border infrastructure for the next 17 years, is playing a key role in ensuring smooth operations during the busy season. Mr. Nqobile Ncube, General Manager of ZimBorders, stated that a final plan for the festive season had been activated, focusing on increased staff deployment, additional service points, tighter security, and enhanced information dissemination.

"We are increasing customer service visibility at the bus and light vehicles terminals to ensure travelers can access the necessary information, cutting down delays," said Mr. Ncube. He also urged travelers to ensure their paperwork is in order and recommended using pre-clearance facilities to expedite their time at the border. The pre-clearance system allows travelers to declare imports and pay duties before arrival, reducing physical processes on arrival.

With the holiday season just around the corner, authorities at Beitbridge Border Post are fully prepared to handle the anticipated traffic surge and ensure a seamless, secure travel experience. Through enhanced coordination between various agencies, the use of technology, and proactive measures, Zimbabwe is set to make the 2024 festive period a smooth one for all travelers passing through the border.