Congestion at Beitbridge border will be history
THE US$300 million Beitbridge Border Post modernisation project is progressing well, with key infrastructure due for completion by November 2022. The renovations will ease congestion at the border and speed up the roll-out of the one-stop border post concept between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Our reporter
TANYARADZWA RUSIKE (TR) spoke to the Chief Immigration Officer, MS
(RG), on the project and related issues.
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TR: Please, give us an overview of progress made on modernising the Beitbridge Border Post?
RG:
We have recorded improvements in many aspects. Under phase one, the freight section was completed and started being used in October 2021.
For phase two, the bus and passenger terminal began operating on June 2, 2022.
So, in other words, we have two completed terminals, that is, the bus terminal and the freight terminal.
This ensures separation of traffic into commercial trucks, buses and light vehicles.
This has managed to deal with congestion challenges that had become synonymous with the border.
TR: What are the time lines for completion of the project?
RG:
Renovation of the border post itself should be complete by November 20, 2022.
In other words, phase three, which includes the passenger terminal, will be completed by the end of this month, meaning the border will be available for full utilisation by travellers for this festive season. However, the whole project should be complete by the end of May 2023. This includes accommodation for staff and other aspects.
TR: With the completion of the border upgrade, can you say festive season congestion will now be a thing of the past?
RG:
Once the renovation programme is completed, we indeed expect congestion to be a thing of the past, because the border upgrades ensure separation of traffic, which results in fast and efficient movement of people and goods.
Travellers will be pleased to know that things are continuing to get better at the border. In that regard, we expect that the situation will further improve on completion of the pedestrian and light vehicles terminal by the end of November 2022. Proper signage has assisted in the smooth flow of persons and processes.
An automated traffic control system, which is now in place, also ensures efficiency and orderliness.
TR: Can you give latest statistics of travellers who used the Beitbridge Border Post this year and projections for the busy festive season?
RG:
From January to September 2022, we had 2 012 559 entries and 1 463 321 exits. This gives us a total of 3 475 880 who passed through the border this year.
At peak, such as the forthcoming festive season, we are expecting to handle between 30 000 to 35 000 per day. We are confident of handling these numbers without congestion.
TR: Can you outline measures put in place to curb corruption at the border?
RG: In terms of tackling corruption, our policy is not for the Beitbridge border alone, but for all ports of entry in the country. CCTV monitoring systems have been put in place at several ports of entry, including the Beitbridge Border Post, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo. This tool is used to monitor corruption-related activities.
Officers are regularly transferred to curtail over-familiarisation. Team-building activities have assisted in motivating staff. Thus, they have taken ownership of the department’s image.
Awards for good behaviour and long service are also used as instruments to reinforce good behaviour. Use of standard operating procedures to guide officers as they discharge their day-to-day duties is being implemented.
Disciplinary measures are also taken against those officers for errant behaviour. All these efforts go a long way in fighting corruption at our ports of entry.
TR: Given that renovation of the Beitbridge Border Post is almost complete, what plans are there to modernise other ports of entry?
RG:
His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, has indicated that a total of eight border posts will be modernised. That includes Chirundu, Forbes, Plumtree and
Nyamapanda border posts.
The Department of Immigration welcomes these initiatives and we will play our part to implement what we have been directed to do by the authorities.
TR: How far has the Immigration Department gone in terms of digitalisation at the borders?
RG:
The department has an electronic Border Management System of clearing travellers.
Currently, the department is seized with efforts to procure and implement robust integrated online border management upgrades that will be interlinked with other stakeholders such as the Civil Registry, Interpol and Zimbabwe Republic Police. The modernised Beitbridge Border Post is also on the Zimborders Flow Control System, which is a multi-agency electronic clearance of vehicular traffic.
This system ensures observance of border processes by travellers.
TR: How has the use of e-passports helped in improving efficiency at the country’s ports of entry?
RG:
e-passport enrolment centres have resulted in most Zimbabweans easily accessing passports.
This has helped in combating the problem of irregular migration, particularly in Beitbridge, where a centre was opened. These new generation biometric passports have also ensured that most travellers are compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements on e-readable documents by 2023.
TR: What measures has the Immigration
Department put in place to address challenges related to illegal immigrants and human trafficking?
RG:
The Department of Immigration has a robust compliance unit that specialises in detection and prosecution of illegal immigrants. It also works with other security agencies to identify human smuggling and human trafficking syndicates. Public awareness campaigns have been rolled out throughout the country to educate the citizens on human trafficking vices.
TR: How many illegal immigrants have been arrested and deported this year?
RG: A total of 1 532 persons have been deported from January 2022 to date (at Beitbridge). A total of 408 arrests have been recorded to date.