News / National
Zimra impounds buses from Beitbridge border post
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The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has announced it is impounding buses cleared at Beitbridge Border Post for reinspection due to a surge in smuggling activities at the country's busiest entry point. The move, aimed at curbing rampant illegal imports, has sparked frustration among travellers who say they are being unfairly penalized and inconvenienced.
ZIMRA's statement follows complaints from passengers stuck for hours or even days while their buses are held for additional clearance and duty payments. The agency insists the operation is necessary to stem the rising tide of smuggling, which it describes as "rampant and complex," with goods entering Zimbabwe through numerous unofficial routes.
"Impounding and reinspecting buses arriving from the border is part of our strategy to combat this problem," ZIMRA said, assuring that it is working to respect the rights and comfort of passengers affected by the measures.
However, many travellers told Masvingo Mirror they feel caught in the middle of government failures at the border. One passenger expressed disappointment, saying, "Most of us have complied with duty regulations. We therefore are disappointed that after going through the process at the border we are now being stopped here and going through yet another process. Some travellers have children and it's very cold. There are no ablution facilities at the Railway Station and who knows, we could be held here for days. ZIMRA must remember that we have rights and keeping us at a place without facilities is a violation of those rights, and disrupting our travel plans is unacceptable."
Another passenger called on the government to fix the problems at Beitbridge rather than punishing travellers. "Government must sort out its mess at Beitbridge and stop punishing travellers for its failures," they said.
In response, ZIMRA acknowledged the concerns but maintained the complexity of the situation requires tough action. The statement emphasized the escalation of smuggling to "untenable levels," which has forced the government to implement "targeted strategies" as part of a national anti-smuggling campaign.
The agency also highlighted its duty to protect civil society by acting on suspicious cargo and whistleblower reports. Regarding the lack of ablution facilities, ZIMRA clarified that only vehicles implicated in smuggling are detained and passengers should not be held at vehicle detention sites. "We are working to ensure that the rights and comfort of passengers are respected," the statement concluded.
As smuggling continues to pose a significant challenge at Beitbridge, the standoff between enforcement measures and passenger rights remains a contentious issue, with travellers demanding more humane and efficient solutions.
ZIMRA's statement follows complaints from passengers stuck for hours or even days while their buses are held for additional clearance and duty payments. The agency insists the operation is necessary to stem the rising tide of smuggling, which it describes as "rampant and complex," with goods entering Zimbabwe through numerous unofficial routes.
"Impounding and reinspecting buses arriving from the border is part of our strategy to combat this problem," ZIMRA said, assuring that it is working to respect the rights and comfort of passengers affected by the measures.
However, many travellers told Masvingo Mirror they feel caught in the middle of government failures at the border. One passenger expressed disappointment, saying, "Most of us have complied with duty regulations. We therefore are disappointed that after going through the process at the border we are now being stopped here and going through yet another process. Some travellers have children and it's very cold. There are no ablution facilities at the Railway Station and who knows, we could be held here for days. ZIMRA must remember that we have rights and keeping us at a place without facilities is a violation of those rights, and disrupting our travel plans is unacceptable."
In response, ZIMRA acknowledged the concerns but maintained the complexity of the situation requires tough action. The statement emphasized the escalation of smuggling to "untenable levels," which has forced the government to implement "targeted strategies" as part of a national anti-smuggling campaign.
The agency also highlighted its duty to protect civil society by acting on suspicious cargo and whistleblower reports. Regarding the lack of ablution facilities, ZIMRA clarified that only vehicles implicated in smuggling are detained and passengers should not be held at vehicle detention sites. "We are working to ensure that the rights and comfort of passengers are respected," the statement concluded.
As smuggling continues to pose a significant challenge at Beitbridge, the standoff between enforcement measures and passenger rights remains a contentious issue, with travellers demanding more humane and efficient solutions.
Source - Mirror
