‘Suitcase agents’ cause border congestion

Unqualified agents are contributing to delays and congestion at Zimbabwean border posts – which has led the Shipping and Forwarding Agents’ Association of Zimbabwe (SFAAZ) to look at ways of improving the self-regulation of the industry. “It is a challenge throughout the Southern African Development Community,” says Joseph Musariri, chief executive officer of the association. Unqualified people are entering the industry because they see the opportunities being created by growing volumes of trade, he says. Known as “suitcase agents,” they operate with little or no support and infrastructure. Shippers opt for what they see as a cheaper option. The costs of mistakes and delays caused by the agent are, however, borne by the whole industry in the form of border delays and reputational damage to the Zimbabwean shipping and forwarding sector as a whole. The Zimbabwean government has responded to lobbying for greater control by the shipping and forwarding agents by putting the ball back in the court of the association, saying that it prefers self-regulation. Minimum qualifications for accreditation are now being set by the association, which will also have the authority to suspend the licence of operators who transgress the law or flout the minimum standards set by the association. Government will then be asked to pass the necessary legislation. “We want to be recognised as professionals – the same as doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, etc,” he says. A good working relationship has been established between SFAAZ and the Zimbabwean Revenue Authority. “We have joined hands in terms of training, and a service level agreement has been signed between the association and the revenue authorities.”