The Beitbridge border post remains open and “peaceful” despite widespread media reports that the Beitbridge border post would be closed on Monday “until further notice”.
This as yet another group – the South Africa-based Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) – called for protests against the implementation of Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 which bans imports from South Africa into Zimbabwe.
Head of the ZEF, civil rights activist and advocate, Gabriel Shumba, issued a call last week for all cross-border traders to shut down commercial activities at Zimbabwe’s borders from Monday this week (8 August).
Shumba said in a statement: “From 8 August 2016 we will close down all commercial activities at all of Zimbabwe's borders. Please stay home until further notice. We demand that the government of Zimbabwe abolishes Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 which bans imports into Zimbabwe.
We demand that beds, wardrobes, kitchen units, cooking oil, building materials, clothes, and other basic commodities must enter Zimbabwe without hindrance. Top government officials get their goods into the country but ordinary citizens are not allowed.
Truck drivers, bus drivers, motorists heed this call. Don't be a hero for nothing.”
Shumba said all neighbouring countries were aware of this stay away, pointing out that shops and Customs clearance would be closed in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.
The International Cross-Border Traders Association also advised on its Facebook page that all traders should avoid Zimbabwean borders this week.
Yet, despite several attempts to reach Shumba, FTWO could not confirm whether the protest had taken place.
The Crossing Beitbridge Facebook page posted the following statement late last night: “The border has remained open and it was quiet overnight.”
This was confirmed this morning (Thursday) by Alwyn Nel, MD at Kingfisher Freight Services, who said that operations at the border were “continuing as normal” today.
“We are aware that there are a number of calls for the shutdown of the border by various individuals, but a lot of these are merely to incite reactions and are causing the alarm ripples that are going around the market place,” commented Nel.
He agreed that the imposition of the new regulations had severely impacted the local cross-border trade by the informal traders, as well as the commercial activities of some companies. “But on the issuance of the necessary permits this flow will continue, although possibly on a diminished scale,” said Nel.
He cautioned that there were “so many rumours” around this issue that it was hard to distinguish truth from fiction. “The border is monitored by our offices on an ongoing basis,” said Nel, adding that he would inform FTWO if he had confirmation of any border disruptions.
