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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Human and vehicular traffic have relatively increased ahead of the festive season, with Zimbabwean and South African holidaymakers trickling into the country mainly through Beitbridge Border Post.

According to the assistant regional immigration officer in charge of Beitbridge Border Post Mr Notius Tarisai, they had cleared a total of 226 793 people from December 1 to 17. He said although the traffic had increased, the situation was manageable.

“The figure includes 153 207 departures and 174 663 entries,” said Mr Tarisai. “We are looking at clearing over a million people throughout the festive season, especially now that we have more people coming in to witness the fruits of the new Government.

“Last year, we cleared over 700 000 people.” Mr Tarisai said they were clearing an average of 24 000 people a day in comparison to 12 000 during off peak periods. He said immigration authorities had deployed adequately, while harmonising operations with their South African counterparts. The smooth flow, he said, was testimony to the success of the Border Efficiency Management System (BEAMS).

“We have separated traffic into buses, private motorists, pedestrians, returning residents, tourists and commercial,” said Mr Tarisai. In addition, we have our security guards directing people accordingly, to the right counters.” Mr Tarisai said they were anticipating the number of travellers to peak from Friday.

The immigration authorities had also collapsed their shift from four to three and they will reduce them to two on the busy days. Mr Tarisai took time to urge members of the pubic to comply with border authorities to ensure a smooth passage into the country.

“The travelling public must avoid engaging the services of conmen and other dealers who in most cases are criminals elements bent on causing unnecessary congestion within the border post,” he said. Mr Tarisai said the border authorities would review operations depending on the unfolding situation on the ground.

He said the festive season operation plan had been set for December 8 to January 11 next year. Both customs and immigration authorities from Zimbabwe and South Africa have beefed up their staff complement at Beitbridge, moving staff from stations which are not busy.