Beitbridge’s 48-hour delays continue

Congestion at the Beitbridge border has regressed rather than improved, despite the best efforts of South African Revenue Service to speed up processes. The same has not happened on the “other side of the border”, according to Gavin Kelly, spokesman for the Road Freight Association (RFA), resulting in most of the challenges remaining. And thanks to increased volumes, it means the situation has deteriorated. “The process of clearing goods has taken tremendous leaps forward. Sars has really come to the party,” he told FTW. “But on the other side of the border the same has not happened. There is an average 48-hour delay at Beitbridge, regardless of whether you have precleared the cargo on the South African side. South African officials will hold trucks until they get the go-ahead from the Zimbabwean officials.” He said Zimra (the Zimbabwe Revenue Association) had processes in place that required Sars officials not to release vehicles across the bridge. “There has been a lot of talk – and if one looks at the minutes of meetings then theoretically the situation is being addressed. But when you get to that border then the trucks stand. Delays are a reality at Beitbridge.” He said it was becoming clear that the only way to speed up processes was to either follow a one-stop principle or to ensure all countries work on a single system – but even then there was no guarantee. “We are also experiencing some trouble at the Chirundu one-stop border post between Zambia and Zimbabwe,” Kelly said. “Here the trucks are also being delayed with claims of not enough capacity to handle the volumes. But they are being charged $350 per truck to park in the parking area while they wait for capacity to be created – which could also be interpreted as another revenue stream for officials.” CAPTION There is an average 48-hour delay at Beitbridge, regardless of whether you have precleared the cargo on the South African side.