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Walter Nyamukondiwa in CHIRUNDU

Stakeholders have urged the Government to ensure Chirundu Border Post operates for 24 hours permanently after the introduction of round-the-clock operation for a limited period helped clear long winding queues that stretched for up to 10 kilometres.

The border post handles large volumes of north and south-bound traffic from feeder borders such as Beitbridge, Nakonde between Zambia and Tanzania and Kasumbalesa between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The border has been experiencing perennial long queues due to a combination of structural and operational deficiencies.

This had affected the implementation of measures against Covid-19 that include avoidance of crowding and maintaining hygiene conditions, as drivers spent longer periods waiting to be cleared.

A visit to the border post showed that the long winding queues that were once the order of the day had disappeared as the measures had begun to take effect.

There were queues of less than 10 trucks outside the border complex, in sharp contrast to the previous situation where it would stretch for more than 10 kilometres, putting a strain on Chirundu Local Board as there are no enough ablution facilities.

Drivers would relieve themselves in the bushes and resort to the use of plastic bags at night, affecting the environment.

Authorities on both sides of the border are checking temperature, sanitising and testing truck drivers during their transboundary journeys.

Drivers interviewed confirmed that they were being tested for Covid-19.

“We are being tested, subjected to screening and hygiene procedures variously on the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides of the Chirundu Border Post,” said Jon Tawo, who operates between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“There are some follow-ups which shows how serious the issue of coronavirus is being taken.”

Regional immigration officer Mr Joshua Chibundu said the move to operate 24 hours was temporary, pending further  directives.

“The move to operate 24 hours was in response to the challenge of congestion that was characterising the border,” he said.

“Currently, it is a temporary stop gap measure until we get further instructions to either revert to normal times or continue like this.”

Chirundu Local Board secretary Mr Wilson Gunhe said they were prepared to offer space for authorities that wanted to build houses for their staff.

“Some of the essential services in the town are compromised because we do not have workers permanently residing in Chirundu,” he said.