Zimra can do better at their checkpoints

FESTIVE SEASON BLUES.

As the Christmas rush gathers momentum and cross-border activity between South Africa and Zimbabwe increases, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, (Zimra) in conjunction with Zimbabwe Police, is cracking down on duty evaders, aka smugglers, and importers of fake goods like counterfeit whisky.

My "sauce" is a passenger on one of the buses heading to Harare; they departed Durban on Friday, and today, Monday,9 December, they're at a Zimra checkpoint somewhere in Masvingo

About 60 buses, 20 trucks, and an equal number of kombis pulling trailers filled with goods are waiting to be cleared.

While I applaud this necessary crackdown on fakers, smugglers, and duty evaders, Zimra can do better by ensuring they set up their checkpoints where there are proper facilities for passengers to cook, bathe, and sleep.

Throwing passengers out of buses and literally dumping them at a truck stop with inadequate facilities, including ablution facilities, is inhumane.

 Mothers with babies who have already endured the pain of a three-day journey are the worst affected.

Zimra checkpoint pic.twitter.com/hjyHUCO0iq

— Bulawayo24 News (@Bulawayo24News) December 9, 2024