Vulnerable
cargoes are
better protected
WHO IS responsible for the loiterers who hang around border posts and who should keep them out of designated areas?
It's the customs duty to keep the areas free, say agents. But customs claims loiterers are part of the casual labour bands who frequent the posts, and it is up to the agents hiring the labour to see unwanted numbers are sent packing.
Whoever is responsible remains the unanswered question, but both sides are confident that it is those who are not employed on a casual basis who could be responsible for the break-ins and thefts which occur.
Beit Bridge is one post which has suffered regularly in this respect.
We had problems of this nature on the ramps where the inspections are done, so we, the agents, banded together and paid for the area to be caged off, says Brian Kalshoven, manager of Beit Bridge Border Clearing Agents.
It meant that we now have two of the more vital inspection bays, those handling vulnerable cargoes such as electronic goods, cigarettes, clothing and shoes, sealed off to some extent.
Things have improved as a result, but while we have been able to make it more secure, there is still the open side of the posts which has little security.
There have been instances recently of trucks being broken into in the controlled area. Unfortunately security lights don't always work at night and there is insufficient patrolling going on.
We need the casuals to offload goods, but there are others out there who don't get work, and I'm afraid it appears they are responsible for the problems we have from time to time.
On the bright side, Kalshoven says that traffic flow has been good through the post in recent months, with few problems during the heavy December period.
By Leonard Neill
