The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) says it has deployed adequate personnel and material resources at all the country’s borders in anticipation of increased volumes of human and vehicular traffic this festive season.
In a statement on Friday, ZIMRA said it has deployed more workers to Beitbridge and Plumtree which are usually the busiest inland ports of entry during peak periods and major holidays. It said:
We have put in place measures at all our border posts to efficiently manage the seasonal influx of travellers and traffic over the festive season.
Traditionally, traffic increases at Beitbridge and Plumtree border posts between mid-December and the first week of January.
This consists mainly of private travellers being Zimbabweans visiting their families, visitors coming to visit friends or relatives, tourists on holiday and other nationals transiting to destinations beyond our borders, all using either private or public transport.
… On the software front, the electronic Temporary Import Permits (e-TIP)) application has been enhanced to ensure that the motoring foreign travellers can easily log on and complete their applications prior to their arrival at the port, thus minimising dwell time at the border.
Furthermore, the two borders close to Plumtree – Mphoengs and Maitengwe – have also been duly capacitated to receive significant private traffic in an effort to reduce the load on the Plumtree Border Post.
Travellers can thus make a choice on which of these ports of entry is closest to their location and plan accordingly.
It is estimated that Beitbridge and Plumtree handle over seven million and three million travellers annually, respectively. | The Sunday News