Festive rush intensifies at Beitbridge border post

Activity has significantly heightened at the Beitbridge Border Post as Zimbabweans based in South Africa make a last-minute dash home for the festive season. Authorities from both Zimbabwe and South Africa have responded by deploying additional manpower to handle the increased traffic, which is expected to peak between December 10 and January 10.

Long queues of vehicles and pedestrians are now a common sight at the border, with clearance times slowing due to the surge. A senior Zimbabwean customs official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that extra personnel had been stationed at the bus and private vehicle terminals to assist motorists with the electronic temporary import permits (eTIP) system.

Statistics from the Department of Immigration reveal that between December 16 and December 21, a total of 85,846 people entered Zimbabwe through Beitbridge, while 34,094 departed. Returning residents accounted for 87% of arrivals, with 75,096 individuals recorded during the period. Vehicle traffic statistics show that 3,087 light vehicles, 2,403 buses, and 3,525 trucks entered the country from South Africa.

Assistant Regional Immigration Officer-in-Charge, Mrs. Canisia Magaya, acknowledged the increase in traffic but assured the public that sufficient personnel had been deployed across the three terminals to ensure smooth operations.

"We are handling an average of 13,976 entries and 6,362 departures daily," she said.

Mrs. Magaya noted a slight decline in overall border traffic compared to the same period last year, with a 16% drop in arrivals and a 4% decrease in departures. Between December 11 and December 22, 153,744 entries were recorded, down from 160,632 in 2023. Departures also fell from 81,235 last year to 69,992 in the current period.

She advised travelers to avoid third-party services for immigration processes, as these are often scams, and reminded those traveling with children to ensure they have valid passports and necessary supporting documents.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality, Dr. Takaruza Munyanyiwa, is personally overseeing operations at the border to ensure efficient traffic management.

"We are on the ground and pleased with the feedback from travelers. However, there is a need to harmonize payment processes to reduce the time spent in queues for levies and compliance fees," said Dr. Munyanyiwa.

He also highlighted the positive impact of the permanent separation of traffic into cargo, buses, and light motor vehicles, which has improved the overall flow and reduced congestion.

Travelers interviewed at the border expressed satisfaction with recent improvements. One motorist praised the introduction of the eTIP system, describing it as a progressive step towards e-governance.

A cross-border transporter, identified as Ncube, lauded the separation of traffic as a game-changer, noting that it significantly reduced processing times. In previous years, all traffic was handled in one facility, causing delays of up to 24 hours.

With enhanced systems and additional resources in place, authorities are optimistic about managing the festive season rush efficiently, ensuring a smoother experience for travelers passing through Beitbridge.