Customs takes a hard line on bribes KEVIN MAYHEW THE INTRODUCTION of a weighbridge at Grobler’s Bridge Border Post has dramatically reduced overloading on the alternative route to the north that avoids transit through Zimbabwe. Director of Cargo Services, Ian Cooper, said that the gross overloading which had been experienced on the route and led to a number of high profile convictions immediately after the weighbridge was introduced was definitely a thing of the past. Cargo Services has offices at both Beitbridge and Grobler’s Bridge. “We still have a problem mainly with smaller operators offering bribes to customs which is making it difficult for the more established companies who keep within the rules. Customs authorities are tackling it and there have been some arrests of both officials and companies offering bribes,” he said. Cooper is also the chairman at Beitbridge of the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) which represents the industry in its dealings with authorities on matters of concern. Cargo Services specialises in clearing, removal in-transit bonds, contracted warehousing and domestic transit as well as import and export facilities from Johannesburg and Durban.
