Angry Zim traders blame their government for Beitbridge block

Fuming Zimbabwean traders are blaming their government for the “costly congestion” at the Beitbridge border post over the festive season.

Hundreds of trucks, buses, taxis, and passenger vehicles were stuck at the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe, attempting to cross which has been congested for several days.

At least eight people are reported to have died while waiting to cross over.

International Cross-Border Traders’ Association (ICTA) president Denis Juru blamed the block on Zimbabwean authorities.

“I would like to condemn this Zimbabwean government because when the SA government announced that they are going to open their borders, they were citing the festive season.”

“The Zimbabwe government failed to open the border entirely and all the people who have been locked in SA have been waiting for the borders to be reopened and this is not about traveling or holidays only, but it is also about people escaping SA. They have been locked in SA without money, work or food.

“This is the situation we have because Zimbabwe failed to open their borders.”

The angry salvo comes as the South Africa’s Home Affairs department said it worked with the Department of Health, the SA National Defence Force, police, South African Revenue Service and the Limpopo provincial government to resolve the impasse that had led to traffic congestion at Beitbridge.

Pretoria and Harare in discussions

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Zimbabwe’s Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Harare has engaged South African authorities on how best to decongest the busy border post.

“High-level meetings have been held between Zimbabwe and South Africa, as part of efforts to address challenges and ensure the smooth flow of traffic at Beit Bridge border post,” the minister said.

“Decongestion measures are being implemented to create safe zones in our border areas. These measures will include the setting up of check points prior to arrival at the border posts.”

She added that Zimbabwe’s National Taskforce on COVID-19 continues to monitor the situation in her country especially in view of high traffic flows during the festive season.