Beitbridge transformation to enhance Zim-SAone stop border
The modernisation of the Beitbridge Border Post at a cost of US$300 million will pave
way for the implementation of a one-stop border between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Government and the Zimborders Consortium are carrying out massive infrastructure
development project under a private public partnership concept.
Under the build, operate and transfer project, the consortium will manage and maintain
the infrastructure for 17 and half years before handing it over to the Government.
Zimborders Consortium general manager, Mr Nqobile Ncube said the new port
infrastructure will pave way for a one-stop border post.
He was addressing stakeholders during the handover of 220 housing units to
Government recently.
The staff houses, a 11, 4 mega liter water reservoir, a fire station, an animal, plant and
quarantine and oxidation dam, were constructed by the consortium as part of the out-ofport works under the same modernisation project.
Zimbabwe and South Africa have for over a decade been planning to have a one-stop
border to improve the flow of people and cargo between the two countries.
“Under a one stop border traffic is cleared once for departure or arrival at one point with
the two nations having to harmonise immigration and customs systems, and this saves
time and streamline processes,” said Mr Ncube.
At the moment travellers and cargo are going through duplicate processes on both
country sides of the border, which at times results in lengthy delays.
The official said Zimbabwe now has adequate infrastructure at Beitbridge that can house
even South Africans when the one-stop border concept starts.
He said the Beitbridge border transformation has become a benchmark for most
countries in the Sadc region, which were now looking into adopting the same model.
“When the one stop border post comes in, in simple terms it means what is across should
be mirrored by what you find across, and as Zimbabwe we have moved at a faster speed in
transforming our component,” said Mr Ncube.
“So, our counterparts have the task to replicate or mirror what is on our side. We have set
a standard as Zimbabweans. Besides the in-port-works, we have done a lot on out-ofport works, which addresses issues of water, sewer, fire management, animal movement
control and accommodation challenges which have not been cured for a long time”.
Mr Ncube said the border project was key in implementing the Border Efficiency
Management System (BEAMS) pillar which is key to the implementation of the OneStop-Border Post (OSBP) concept.
“It is pleasing to note that infrastructure at the new look port of entry was constructed in
a plan that is open to adaptability, including accommodating the One Stop Border Post
(OSBP,” he said.
“You will note that the first goal of the border is traffic separation which has been done
through the construction of the freight, bus and light vehicles and pedestrians terminals.
These are key to immigration and other border agencies, as they create an efficient way of administering people that go through the port of entry,” said Mr Ncube.
Beitbridge Border Post
He said on traffic separation, as it stands, commercial cargo, buses and light vehicles are
getting customised services at specific terminals. The port of entry clears a total of 15
000 people daily off peak and 30 000 travellers during peak periods.
Border authorities are also processing up to 1000 commercial trucks, 1100 light vehicles
and 120 buses daily at the same point of entry.
He said the Beitbridge transformation project was three months ahead of schedule and
they expect to wrap up the whole initiative by the end of June this year.
It is also envisaged that the volume of human and cargo will increase five times when the
project is completed.
Matabeleland South’s permanent secretary for provincial affairs and devolution, Mrs
Latiso Dlamini-Maseko said the Second Republic has transformed the port of entry and
Beitbridge town at a tremendous pace.
“We are happy to note that such huge projects are being implemented in the province
and they have not only changed the face of Beitbridge town. The trailblazing initiative
has become our pride,” she said.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Felix Mhona said the border
transformation initiative is a great example of what can be achieved through successful
public-private partnerships.
He said the project resonates well with the President’s developmental principles.
The minister said in 2018 the Government took a position to modernise the Beitbridge
Border Post which was facing a myriad of problems.
Beitbridge-border-post
One of the problems was the acute shortage of infrastructure, including decent housing
for workers of state and quasi state agencies working at the border.
The Minister said Beitbridge town has its fair share of accommodation challenges due to
the fast-growing population.
“Owing to these challenges, border agencies have been deploying less than optimum
staff leading to reduced efficiency,” he said.
“The housing challenges had a negative effect of disenfranchising workers, thus leading
to poor work ethics and other unfavourable vices.
As a result, the Beitbridge Border post was chosen to be a trailblazer and pioneer project
of upgrading and modernising our borders, including a flourishing housing facility,
which we are launching today. Under such circumstances, the Government saw it fit to
include housing as part of this project”.
In 2022, South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs visited the border and
identified the implementation of a one-stop border post and the roll-out of the Border
Management Authority (BMA) as the keys to resolving challenges at all land borders.
. The Chronicle
