Border authorities engage informal traders

BORDER authorities here have met informal traders and transporters operating within and around the border to find common ground on operational issues as the Government intensifies the re-organisation of Sadc’s busiest inland port of entry.

The meeting was held near the traffic circle leading to the border post and was chaired by the police officer commanding Beitbridge Chief Superintendent Francis Phiri.

Chief Supt Phiri said the engagement was necessitated by vendors and taxi operators who were causing congestion at the border hence the cat and mouse games they were playing with both the ZRP and the municipal police.

“As security authorities, who include ZRP, municipal police, the Army and the Department of Immigration among others, we have agreed that a new taxi rank be created away from the border where vendors and other informal traders will also be housed,” said Chief Supt Phiri.

“In addition, we are going to deploy the police permanently to the new taxi rank to minimise cases of muggings and any other criminal vices.

“My appeal to you as the informal traders and transporters is that we need to work together within the confines of the law.”

He said the police have adopted a zero tolerance to crime and that they would deal ruthlessly with all those operating outside the set parameters.

Chief Supt Phiri said the border post was a protected area and a security zone where the rule of law must prevail at all times. “We are glad that we have found a common ground and are hopeful that each stakeholder will stick to our agreement,” he said.

Beitbridge Municipality Security Officer, Mr Jimmy Sibanda said the local authority was working on setting up lighting, access to portable water and ablution facilities at the new taxi rank.

The new taxi rank is located 50 metres west of the border post.

“At the same time I want to urge you as informal traders and taxi operators to organise your selves so that we continue to engage each other on a professional basis.

“We need maximum cooperation from everyone so that we have a smooth operational plan. Beitbridge is growing as a municipality and we can’t build a modern city if we are not organised as stakeholders,” said Mr Sibanda.