The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) says the volume of traffic at Beitbridge Border Post has doubled
in the last few days, a development that has been attributed to variations in the strategies used by countries in the SADC region to combat the coronavirus.
Speaking to NewsDay on Thursday, Zimra spokesperson Francis Chimanda confirmed the increase adding that about
500 vehicles and 10 000 travellers are passing through the port daily. In a statement, Chimanda said:
The increase has been largely attributed to the different COVID-19 testing protocols implemented by different countries in the region, which have seen transporters diverting their trucks from some routes to and from South Africa and transiting through Zimbabwe, resulting in the increase in the flow of traffic through Beitbridge.
This has imposed an unanticipated strain on both border infrastructure and human resources for Zimbabwe and neighbouring country border stakeholders.
He added that as a result, the authority was engaging various stakeholders in order to find ways of addressing the challenges through collaboration and teamwork.
Chimanda added that it was of much vitality to maintain a balance between facilitation, revenue collection, enforcing controls, being mindful of the coronavirus and safety measures to reduce exposure for clients, employees and other stakeholders.
More: NewsDay