The Sunday News
Mashudu Netsianda in Beitbridge
Beitbridge Border Post was yesterday a hive of activity as scores of travellers mostly injiva and Christmas shoppers passed through the border in the last hour festive period rush.
When the Sunday News crew visited both the Zimbabwean and South African side of the border there was a sharp increase in the movement of both human and vehicular traffic.
On the South African side the situation was chaotic as long winding queues of cars stretched for kilometres on the N1 highway leading to the border post.
However, on the Zimbabwean side, the situation was manageable with most travellers who spoke to Sunday News expressing satisfaction.
Ms Nomathemba Ndlovu of Bulawayo who is based in Johannesburg said the service rendered by immigration officers was commendable.
“I endured close to two hours lining up at the South African side but when I arrived in Zimbabwe the immigration officers and support staff were excellent in their service delivery. We spent less than 30 minutes in the queue,” she said.
Another traveller, Mr Mtshumayeli Sibanda who had arrived from Durban echoed Ms Ndlovu’s sentiments.
“Indeed, the service that is being offered by our officials is good. They cleared the queues fast and as I speak I am now preparing to proceed with my journey to Gweru to spend Christmas with my family. I hope when I return to South Africa I will not encounter problems,” he said.
Immigration officers said the queues started building up at Beitbridge Border Post as early as 8 December. Immigration authorities said they had expected an increase in the volume of traffic starting this weekend as more Zimbabweans working in South Africa return home to join their families for Christmas.
By last night Sunday News newscrew witnessed travellers as they continued to flock into the country in buses and private cars, mostly Gauteng registered vehicles.
The assistant regional immigration officer in charge of Beitbridge Border Post, Mr Notius Tarisai, said as part of their drive, they have increased manpower during the peak days.
“We have consolidated our festive period plan with our South African counterparts and other key stakeholders. We anticipated a busy festive period but this year the volume of traffic was lower than last year’s and this was largely because most people opted not to travel while those who decided to travel home did it earlier unlike previously, which is why we experienced less congestion. In fact travelling was spread out,” he said.
Mr Tarisai said they have categorised travellers and opened more service points to cater for visitors, private motorists, pedestrians and commercial vehicles to ease congestion. He said they also suspended off and leave days for immigration staff during the festive period.
South African Home Affairs spokesperson Mr Mayihlome Tshwete said his department has also increased the number of officers to man the border post during the festive period.
Beitbridge is the busiest inland port of entry in sub-Saharan Africa, handling an average of 10 000 travellers daily with figures increasing sharply during peak periods such as Christmas and Easter holidays.
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