The Beitbridge border – the busiest post in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) – is at the centre of an election campaign by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader, Nelson Chamisa.
Addressing a rally shortly after it was announced that the election date was set for 30 July this year, Chamisa bemoaned the state of what he termed the “dead” border.
“Zimbabwe cannot be said to be 'open for business' when border towns like Beitbridge – that are supposed to facilitate the smooth flow of goods and services – are dead,” he said, adding that he was “shocked” to see clearing agents operating from cars and to hear that trucks were waiting up to five hours to be cleared by Customs.
Chamisa promised to address border challenges in one week to promote ease of doing business via electronic platforms.
Earlier this year president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Cabinet approved a proposal to upgrade the border post, confirming that negotiations were “under way” for a loan of US$239 million.
