Beitbridge inspections – truckers urged to co-operate

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) has stated that it cannot issue a notice indicating the reasons why trucks are referred for physical examinations as the reasons vary, but transporters are urged to co-operate if they want to expedite the process. This is according to a letter sent by Zimra to South Africa’s Cross Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA) after several issues were raised by South African truck operators concerning operations at the Beitbridge border post. CBRTA is set to meet with Zimra later this year to discuss some of the issues at the border post which continues to be congested. According to Zimra, trucks are referred to be physically inspected “where and when it is felt prudent that a physical examination” be conducted and are escorted to the area where the inspections take place on an hourly basis. “After an inspection, if all the requirements have been met, the truck should be released immediately. If there is need for additional payments the truck shall not be released until such payments have been done.” Transporters have raised concerns over operations at Beitbridge where Zimra recently introduced new taxes, while ongoing corruption and bribery remain a major problem. According to Zimra, trucks are targeted and referred depending on the circumstance. The organisation does not spell out what these circumstances are. According to the CBRTA questions around short shipments were not addressed by Zimra as the organisation said it could only comment on full merit once a full case had been brought before Zimra for consideration as it remained uncertain if particular officers were being blamed for operational errors at the border post. Transporters have been invited to join the crossborder delegation heading to Zimbabwe for talks with Zimra, who have so far declined to participate in the cross-border forum organised by CBRTA.