The issue of job reservation for locals in Zambia’s road freight industry has reared its head again after a transporter told the Transit Assistance Bureau (Transist) that drivers at Kazungula bridge were not being allowed to enter the country.
According to the cross-border haulier, “an official says foreign drivers are only allowed access into Zambia for a maximum of 90 days in the calendar year”.
The haulier added that drivers were being asked for 9000 kwacha (+/- R6 731 or $451) each to extend the number of days they were allowed into the country.
Responding to the transporter on whether this is legal or not, a bulk liquid transporter responsible for Copperbelt supply told Transist: “That’s the way it is in Zambia. We’ve had this problem and it’s gazetted.”
The haulier, who has extensive experience of Zambia’s targeting of transporters for reasons of indigenisation and tariff accrual, said that foreign drivers exceeding the 90-day limit had to apply for an extension visa that was valid for a year, at a cost of $200.
The Border Pass and Transit Permit of the Immigration Act of Zambia had actually been in existence since December 2011, the source said, and was valid for a non-calendar-year period of 90 days.
