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Walter Nyamukondiwa in CHIRUNDU

Stakeholders, including port authorities, government departments and cross border traders from Zimbabwe and Zambia, are convening a joint cross border migration management meeting in Chirundu.

The meeting seeks to enhance cross border coordination between the two countries, identify challenges around trade and protection of people.

Giving an overview of the situation at Chirundu One-Stop Border Post, deputy chief immigration officer Mr Morgan Moyo said economic activity had been reduced as shown by the drop in the number of travellers being handled at the border.

Traffic has dropped by 65 percent from 2019 to date owing to Covid-19 restrictions.

At least 68 585 people passed through Chirundu Border Post between January and March 2019 compared to 23 755 over the same period in 2021.

Truckers make up the bulk of travelers passing through the border post.

A Zambia Revenue Authority representative said measures should be put in place to improve efficiency at the One-Stop Border Post.

“There is need to plan in anticipation for a surge in traffic at Chirundu Border Post as all the signs are there of an increase,” said the official.

There have been calls for harmonisation of Covid-19 protocols, including addressing the disparity in the validity of the test certificates.

Covid-19 certificates are valid for seven days in Zambia compared to 48 hours in Zimbabwe.

The meeting is being organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).