Facilitating two-way trade

Two-way trade

between South Africa

and Zimbabwe is

being supported

by a partnership between

Mitchell Cotts Zimbabwe and

Falcongate Logistics in South

Africa.

“We are the UPS Freight

ASC (authorised service

contractor) in Zimbabwe, and

have strategically partnered

with Falcongate Logistics for

our roadfreight services to

have an effective push-pull

scenario between South Africa

and Zimbabwe,” says DJ Motsi

of Mitchell Cotts Freight

Zimbabwe.

The Falcongate fleet mainly

operates on the Johannesburg /

Malawi / Zimbabwe / Zambia

route, carrying steel, fertiliser,

maize, general cargo, groceries

and other commodities.

Freight carried on the return

leg includes cotton, tobacco,

timber, pulses, grains and

other exports to South Africa,

according to Falcongate.

Motsi says the volume

of imports into Zimbabwe

is continuing to grow due

to a slow-down in local

manufacturing.

“Between 60 to 80% of the

goods being imported into

the country are controlled or

restricted. Without permits

these goods cannot be

imported.”

The regulations apply to all

forms of transport, with courier

shipments valued at US$20.00

or above or weighing 10kgs

being automatically detained by

Zimbabwe Customs (Zimra) for

duty/taxes.

“This gives rise to corruption

at the border and smuggling of

goods into the country,” he says.

Exporters and importers

need to make use of a local

agent because of a range of

challenges, which start with the

Beitbridge border post which

does not have the capacity to

handle the growing volumes of

freight, says Motsi.

“The separation of traffic is

not yet possible, which means

you have buses, trucks, light

commercial vehicles, informal

transporters, private vehicles,

cyclists and pedestrians all

having to queue in the same

line at VID, Zimra (Zimbabwe

Revenue Authority), Zinara

(Zimbabwe National

Roads Administration) and

immigration.

“Compounding the

problem is a lack of staff in all

departments,” he says.

Despite several upgrades the

Asycuda World customs system

in Zimbabwe continues to

perform poorly.

“It is worse than the previous

system introduced in 2010,”

says Motsi.

But despite the challenges,

Mitchell Cotts is helping to

keep its clients' freight moving

thanks to its presence at the

border post, as well as offices in

the major centres.

CAPTION

Growing import volumes ... pictured in the Mitchell Cotts warehouse in Harare

from left: Sam Nyawarande, DJ Motsi, Patrick Tairoodza, and Wayne Ison.