Consolidators lose out as cargo moves by bus

Cargo that should go to consolidators has been moved to buses and this is becoming a critical issue for us,” says Christine Gerber, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Clearing Agents Board. The buses are not only loaded with cargo on empty passenger seats, they are also pulling 40 foot containers loaded to capacity with luggage and other baggage. But even more extreme are buses with cargo loaded metres high on top of them. “It takes hours for this cargo to be inspected as it needs to be unloaded and then reloaded again,” says Gerber. She notes that the need for the separation and classification of buses is critical. “We need to know which of these buses contains business clients as opposed to tourists as it affects the turnaround time of buses significantly and adds considerably to the delays experienced at the border post.”