Staff Reporter

Players in the transport industry have urged Government to review downwards the recently hiked access fees at the Beitbridge Border Post and match those being charged at Kazungula Bridge Border Post, with a view to avoid transporters shunning the border post.

The access fees were introduced as US$175 for trucks and US$300 for abnormal load trucks, came into effect on 8 October 2021, a development which is likely to see transporters opting for alternative routes such as the Kazungula Bridge which charges US$100 for the same trucks.

“The access fees will negatively affect business in the freight and forwarding sector and is likely to result in the loss of income to both local clearing agencies, and forwarding agencies, as well as the Treasury. This will also lead to loss of employment in the clearing and forwarding industry,” said a contact within Shipping and Forwarding Agencies Association of Zimbabwe (SFAAZ).

The contact noted that the development is likely going to see some transporters opting for the R9 highway, whilst some might contemplate using the Plumtree Border Post.

A contact within the Transporters Operators Association of Zimbabwe (TOAZ) told this publication that transporters are not pleased with the introduced high fees, warning that if traffic is diverted to the Kazungula Border Post, transit fees and abnormal loads fees collected mostly at Beitbridge by the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA), and the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) will be reduced.

“Currently ZINARA collects on average US$22 million annually, with the North-South Corridor contributing 70 percent of the amount. The collected amount is used to clear the balance of the US$206 million, Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) loan for the next 15 years by ZINARA, and the potential reduction in revenue collection will affect the repayment plan,” he said.

Daily traffic volumes at the Beitbridge (northbound and southbound) averages a minimum of 1200 daily, of which 30 percent are Zimbabwean registered, the rest being foreign. If transporters prefer to use Kazungula over Beitbridge Border Post, it will also negatively impact on the revenue streams needed to recoup the invested funds, which were ploughed into the ongoing modernisation, and upgrading of the Beitbridge Border Post.