Intensified luggage searches on cross-border buses by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) at the Beitbridge Border Post have resulted in lengthy delays for travellers and cross-border traders.
ZIMRA is currently enforcing a US$200 personal rebate limit, with some buses being held for more than eight hours during inspections.
Traveller Talent Goronga said the searches were thorough and, at times, distressing for passengers who were not prepared for potential duty payments.
“ZIMRA is slapping duty on everything, even perfumes. I felt sorry for one woman who was bringing goods worth R10,000, and she had no money for the duty demanded by ZIMRA. They took her goods,” Goronga said.
He added that the crackdown extended beyond the border post, with buses also being intercepted further along the route.
“I saw several buses being turned back to the border after they reached a checkpoint at Bubi and were told the goods were not properly declared,” he said.
“My advice to our brothers and sisters in South Africa is to familiarise themselves with ZIMRA’s new duty demands; otherwise, they will just lose their goods,” added Goronga.
Fellow traveller Blessing Hungwe said he spent more than 24 hours at the border, with couriered goods appearing to attract particular scrutiny.
“ZIMRA were seizing goods from buses which had no owners among the passengers,” said Hungwe.
“These would be goods given to the bus company to courier to Zimbabwe. They particularly don’t want to see furniture, unless you’re a returning resident.”
More: ZimLive
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