Monday, December 20, 2010

Massive congestion at Beitbridge

From Thupeyo Muleya in BEITBRIDGE

THERE is massive congestion at Beitbridge Border Post with Immigration Department and Zimbabwe Revenue Aut-hority officials battling to clear vehicles, returning residents and shoppers crossing from South Africa.

Both human and vehicular traffic drastically increased from last Friday when most South African firms shut down for the year.

Many travellers told The Herald yesterday that they had spent more than three hours on either side of the border.

However, both Zimra and the Immigration Department blame the delay on lack of personnel and appropriate infrastructure.

Between 15 000 and 19 000 people are entering Zimbabwe on a daily basis.

The normal figure at other times of the year is 2 500.

Figures from the Immigration Department indicate that 55 190 people entered Zimbabwe between Friday and Sun-day night, while 21 738 left the country over the same period.

Both Zimra and the Immigration Department have taken staff from other stations and deployed them to Beitbridge, but the numbers are still inadequate.

Zimra has 227 workers instead of 400, while the Immigration Department is operating with 55 against a requirement of 80.

Transport, Communication and Infrastructure Develop-ment Minister Nicholas Goche and his Finance counterpart Tendai Biti yesterday toured the border post to assess the situation and help hammer out a solution.

During the tour, Assistant Regional Immigration Officer-in-Charge (Southern Region), Mr Charles Gwede, said they had a host of measures to try and ease the congestion.

"We are separating traffic into human, vehicular, buses, cargo, tourists and returning residents.

"We have enlisted the services of the police to assist with controlling queues and preventing touts from entering the border post. Our volume of traffic has of late increased. As of Friday and Sunday, we recorded 55 190 arrivals and 21 738 departures.

"Under normal circumstances, we clear about 6 000 peo-ple over the same period. We are anticipating an influx in the next two days, but we are, however, equal to the task.

"We are operating with 18 officers per shift though we usually operate with 10. We have brought in 13 more immigration officers from less busy stations," said Mr Gwede.

Zimra has deployed an extra 39 officers to Beitbridge.

Minister Biti promised that such travelling nightmares would end this year.

"At the moment, people are taking between six and seven hours to cross from Zimbabwe to South Africa. We are going to do everything within our power to improve the situation," said Minister Biti.

Government has said it will transform Beitbridge into a modern urban centre and consolidate services to spruce up the border post’s image and improve clearance procedures.

"As Government, we are very concerned by the way things are happening at Beitbridge Border Post, which is one of the busiest ports of entry in the country and region.

"The state of affairs here is affecting the speedy movement of both cargo and private traffic.

"Furthermore, most of the infrastructure here is in a bad state and we have courted other partners to help in the re-organisation and transformation of the border post to world class standards.

"We expect the process to be completed by September next year. We are also going to consolidate services here and make the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority the lead agent and do away with a lot of control measures which are frustrating

and delaying travellers.

"You will realise that at the moment we have a lot of agents duplicating services yet that can be consolidated and carried out by one lead agent.

"We have also noted with concern that a lot of operations are being done manually which is slowing down the movement of people and cargo.

"With that in mind we are going to work out on a serious programme to computirise services especially with Zimra where we are going to link all the computers through the Asycuda Clearance System.

"Some of the clearance facilities, especially for commercial purposes, should be done over the Internet rather than truckers spending days for their documents to be processed manually.

"In essence we need a multi-faceted approach to address the challenges we are facing here.

"A border post should be a place for happiness not depression – people should be happy that they are going home or visiting a hospitable country.

"This (border post) is the preface to the country and whatever image we portray here which is way beyond the 21st century is going to affect us as a country," he said.
Herald 21 Decemebr 2010
www.herald.co.zw

Miss Tourism Beitbridge 2010 crowned

By Thupeyo Muleya

Perennial modelling "bridesmaid" Precious Mpofu was at the weekend crowned Miss Tourism Beitbridge 2010 during the third edition of the pageant held at the Beitbridge Hotel.

Mpofu (19) romped to victory after shrugging off a stiff challenge from 14 other contestants from Matabeleland South region.

She will now represent the southern province in the national pageant to be held in Harare next year.

Her first and second princesses were Michelle Chindari (23) and Yvonne Chikore (24) respectively.

This year’s pageant was held under the theme "Queen of Diamonds".

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority co-ordinated the pageant, which was sponsored by Golden Sisters General Dealers.

The queens of catwalk shared US$1 000 cash and several hampers for their efforts.

Mpofu, who is a trainee at Londa Hotel, proved to be the crowd’s favourite from the onset though she had to work very hard to beat Chindari, who was breathing down her neck for the better part of the day.

Mpofu, who is doing a course in hotel management, said she has been participating in most pageants from high school, adding that her determination had finally paid dividends.

Last year’s winners were Rumbidzai Mangezi, Gugulethu Mataga of Beitbridge and Duduzile Ncube of Gwanda.

Urban groover Madiz and several local artistes spiced up the event with their a flawless acts.

Beitbridge Town Council deputy chairperson Mrs Patricia Ndlovu, who was the guest of honour, called on the models to work very hard in initiating projects that empower both women and the girl child in the district.
published by Herald 21 December 2010
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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

NGO calls for unity in prayer

Beitbridge Bureau Chief

THE Concerned Christians of Zimbabwe has called on the nation to unite and pray for an end to the challenges facing the country and the African continent.

In a statement yesterday, the South Africa-based NGO’s Secretary-General, Mr Giyani Dube said: "We believe that only through prayer can all our troubles be solved.

"Our diversities and our humanity is not merely defined by our languages, skin colour, political, religious, social and economic affiliation but rather by our abilities to realise, deal and collectively pray over the challenges that bedevil our communities.

"Our hope as Christians is that all challenges faced by our beloved country Zimbabwe will one day come to an end through the power of the Almighty God. We believe that only throu-gh prayer are we able to overcome all ills."

He said a number of activities had been lined up such as prayer meetings, fasting sessions and musical galas across the continent.

"An all night prayer meeting which was scheduled for the 17th of December 2010 has been deferred to a date yet to be announced. We call upon all people to fast and pray for our country on the 17th of December, 2010 from 6am to 12 noon." he said.

Mr Dube said they were concerned with issues including corruption, HIV/Aids, documentation, poverty, peace and stability and elections

"We the peace loving, concerned Christians are inviting you to pray for issues of concern such as; peace and stability in Zimbabwe and Africa.

"Let us pray for the end of any form of violence, love and unity. As long as Zimbabweans are not united and love each other and their God, then there is no promise of a better Zimbabwe."
source; Herald 16 December 2010
www.herald.co.zw

15 models vie for Miss Tourism Beitbridge title

By Thupeyo Muleya

A total of 15 beauty models are expected to outclass each other in this year’s third edition of Miss Tourism Beitbridge scheduled for Beitbridge on December 17.

This year’s contest is being held under the theme "Queen of Diamonds".

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is co-ordinating the event.

According to ZTA’s Beitbridge marketing executive and also regional co-ordinator, Mrs Lindarose Ntuli, preparations were at an advanced stage.

"We have done everything necessary to ensure the success of the event which is held annually to choose the models who will represent Matabeleland South region in the national contest to be held in Harare in February next year.

"The pageant aims at identifying a young Zimbabwean woman who portrays the country’s values, traits, morals and aspirations to both domestic and international audiences.

"We have done all the necessary preparations in terms of the venue, entertainment and registering the models. We have five people who would be coming in from Gwanda and 10 from Beitbridge district.

"We are upbeat that this time the event will be better and bigger as we are building it on the success of last year’s edition," she said.

Performances by renowned artistes Madiz and Leprechaun, alongside other Beitbridge artistes ,are expected to illuminate the event.

"We are calling on the Matabeleland South community to come in their numbers and support the pageant.

"The co-ordinating team has selected the best ladies from the provinces aged between 17 and 24 years who have beauty and brains," she said.

She said they had managed to put together a total of US$1 000 that would be split among the three queens.

Last year’s winners were Rumbidzai Mangezi, Gugulethu Mataga of Beitbridge and Duduzile Ncube of Gwanda.

Among Matabeleland South’s bevy of beauties who will be vying for the crown are Pamela Mativenga, Melta Katiyo, Linah Siziba, Yvonne Chikoore, Michelle Chindani, Sipho Chirwa, Thandi Mafu, Precious Mpofu, Irene Antonio and Fadzai Mataura — all of Beitbridge town.

source; The Herald 15 December 2010
www.herald.co.zw

Thursday, December 9, 2010

NSSA to invest US$22m in Beitbridge hotel project


Beitbridge Bureau Chief

The National Social Security Authority has set aside US$22 million for the construction of a 140-roomed three-star hotel here, an official has said.

In an interview in yesterday, NSSA public relations manager, Ms Agatha Kubvaruno, said civil works were at an advanced stage.

She said they expected the project to be completed in 15 months.

The project is being implemented under the Government’s National Economic Development Priority Programme that was introduced in 2006.

"The work generally comprises the construction of a three star hotel in Beitbridge. A total of US$22 million has been budgeted for the project.

"The proposed development involves the construction of a double storey hotel, main administration building, three blocks of hotel rooms accommodating a total of 140 hotel rooms including maintenance workshop, guardhouse and boundary wall.

"On completion of the project, Beitbridge town will have a state of the art three star hotel to be operated by RTG.

"This is indeed a major achievement for the town.

"During construction, a number of locals will be employed. Similarly, on completion permanent and casual staff will be employed to work at the hotel.

She said NSSA’s thrust was to create employment as well as develop the country.

"Bulk earth works have since been completed and this is the platform on which the hotel building will be erected.

"We also expect to carry out some more civil works including the road network, drainage, water and sewerage (onsite infrastructure) to commence early next year," she added.

Ms Kubvaruno said the project was likely to be delayed by the late connection of power supplies by Zesa, the rock outcrop on the construction site and the supply of materials.

published by; The Herald 09 December 2010
www.herald.co.zw

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Violent storm destroys schools, clinic

From Thupeyo Muleya in BEITBRIDGE

The Beitbridge district Civil Protection Unit is appealing for assistance to repair two schools and a clinic in Chamnangana area that were destroyed by a thunderstorm last week.

Speaking during a district CPU meeting yesterday, committee chairman Mr Peter Moyo described the situation in the area as terrible.

The secondary school caters for 749 pupils while more than 800 attend the primary school.

The rains that pounded the area lasted for two hours.

The storm destroyed children’s end of year reports, text and exercise books.

Two classroom blocks at the primary school had their roofs blown away.

Mr Moyo said teachers and children at Kwalu Secondary School escaped death by a whisker after roofs of most classroom blocks were blown away by strong winds that accompanied the hailstorm.

The storm also affected Zesa transformers, plunging areas like Zezani, Mpande, Kwalu and large parts of Beitbridge into darkness.

"This incident is a sad disaster and as the district CPU we are working flat out to repair the damage. We are, however, appealing to all stakeholders to assist us with resources to repair both the primary and the secondary school.

"We have since written to our superiors in Harare to assist us. The secondary school was extensively damaged with all its six classrooms’ roofs blown off while furniture and windows were damaged.

"One of the churches under construction had part of its wall damaged by the hailstorm. The ceiling to one of the buildings at Chamnanga clinic was also damaged.

"Anyone who would want to assist should contact the Beitbridge Rural District Council who will be co-ordinating the programme.

"Our technical team is busy working on the bill of the funding that will be needed for repairing both the schools and the clinic. The community has since promised to work with anyone willing to assist them.

"As the district civil protection committee we don’t have a fund for such eventualities hence we are calling on other development partners to assist us," he said.

Mr Moyo said World Vision Limpopo Area Development chapter, Medicine Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) and the Organisation of International Migration had since pledged to assist the committee.

He said well-wishers from across the country were welcome to assist.

Beitbridge Constituency Senator Cde Tambudzani Mohadi visited the school yesterday.

She appealed to non-governmental organisations to assist in repairing the schools and clinic as a matter of urgency.

"This is an unfortunate incident and we are now appealing to other players to assist the school authorities to repair the damage to the schools and clinic," she said.
published by the Herald 8 December 2010
www.herald.co.zw













Beitbridge truck port complete

By Thupeyo Muleya

Beitbridge Town Council has completed construction of state-of-the-art truck port that seeks to decongest the border post and the central business district of heavy vehicles.

Civil works began last year and the truck port has the capacity to handle over 200 trucks at any given time.

The traffic passing through Beitbridge border post border daily is heavy and at peak can surpass 3 000 vehicles.

In an interview yesterday, the Town Secretary, Dr Sipho Singo, said the truck port was racking in an average of R50 000 per month.

He said they were working on resurfacing the ground in the truck port arena.

"The truck inn is doing very well — we have managed to flush out all the heavy vehicles which were causing unnecessary congestion around the town and border post.

"In fact we are getting an average of R50 000 from the truck port and we are looking at interlocking it before the end of this year.

"You will realise that this is an international border which has high volumes of traffic and hence we need to control the movement especially commercial vehicles.

"In the near future we want to attract the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to do the customs clearance from the truck port so as to avoid the congestion at the border post.

"Another advantage is that they can twin the clearance of trucks and imported vehicles from one point since the truck port and the Export Processing Zone are close to each other.

"We have managed to buy some earth moving equipment, which will be delivered anytime this month and these will be used to resurface and maintain some of our damaged roads.

"The road network system is a very important aspect of our development programme because of the nature of traffic we handle as a border town," he said.

He added that they would also be installing traffic lights at seven strategic points across the town to effectively control the movement of both human and vehicle traffic.

Dr Singo said they would spend US$7000 on the traffic lighting project.

He said apart from traffic lights, the local authority was about to complete the installation of six tower lights around the town’s crime hot spots.

"As a new developing council, we have to work very hard to spruce up the town’s outlook since it is the preface to anyone coming into the country through South Africa.

"We also want to improve on street lighting and security for both the residents and other travellers. We expect the tower lights to be fully functional by the end of this month.

"To ensure that almost of the areas around the town are safe, we have cleared the bushes as a starting point," said Dr Singo.

The town secretary said they were in the midst of courting more private partners to implement other developmental project as part of their public private partnership initiatives.

Beitbridge border post was granted town status in 2006 at the instigation of the National Economic Development Priority Programme (NEDPP).
published by the Herald 07 December 2010
www.herald.co.zw

Highway robber convicted

Beitbridge Bureau Chief

AN armed robber whose gang is targeting motorists along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway has been thrown behind bars for an effective 10 years for robbing a South African of valuables worth R12 150.

The robber who was identified as Masunda (30) of Number 609 Dulibadzimu pleaded not guilty to four counts of armed robbery when his trial opened recently.

However, the town’s regional magistrate, Mr Owen Tagu, convicted him on the strength of evidence presented by the prosecution.

Mr Tagu slapped Masunda with 12 years in jail, but set aside two years for five years on condition of good behaviour.

Charges against Masunda arose on April 18 this year, at around 3am, when the complainant was travelling from South Africa to Harare along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway.

His vehicle developed a mechanical fault about 40 km from the border town prompting him to park at a nearby lay-bye.

However, on the same day Masunda was patrolling the area in the company of his two accomplices, Tanaka Jana and Webster Mawere, who are still at large, robbing motorists on lay-byes along the highway.

The three were travelling in a Mazda 323 registration number ABH4994.

They spotted the complainant fixing his car at the lay-bye and accosted him.

Masunda produced a pistol, while Jana and Mawere were armed with iron bars.

They ordered their victim to lie down while they ransacked his vehicle. They stole 10 000 Zambian Kwacha, 75 litres of petrol and clothes all worth R12 150.
published by the Herald 2 December 2010
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Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Zim braces for surge in border traffic flow

Beitbridge Bureau Chief

The Department of Immigration is geared for the increase in traffic expected to pass through Beitbridge Border Post during this year’s festive holidays.

In an interview last week, the officer-in-charge of Beitbridge (Southern Region), Mr Charles Gwede, said they had come up with a host of measures to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

Mr Gwede said they had requested for additional 15 staffers from less busy stations in anticipation of the human and vehicular traffic surge coming into and leaving Zimbabwe.

The department has a staff complement of 55 at Beit-bridge.

"At the moment, we are operating on four shifts and with effect from the 10th of December until the 16th of January next year, we will suspend all off and leave days.

"Immigration officials from Zimbabwe and South Africa have agreed to implement a similar clearance programme to ensure the speedy flow of traffic.

"The police will also be engaged to assist in maintaining order and providing queue marshals at all clearing points.

"More immigration clearing cubicles will be opened outside the main immigration hall if we have more traffic.

"Past experience has shown that most industries in South Africa have their annual shut down from December 10 and hence we need to be equal to the task."

He said they would separate traffic into pedestrians, buses, commercial, tourists and private motorists. Presently all these are cleared at the same counters.

"On average we clear between 1 500 and 2 000 people per day and clear about 15 000 during holidays," said Mr Gwede.

Immigration and police patrols have been beefed up to clamp down on crime. Mr Gwede said the presence of touts was fuelling corruption and scaring away tourists.

Government declared Beitbridge Border Post, a security zone in 2004 and the National Taskforce on Image, Communication and Tourism adopted a zero tolerance for crime.
published by the Herald 2 December 2010
www.herald.co.zw

Car accident claims two on highway

Beitbridge Bureau Chief

Two people died on the spot when the driver of a vehicle they were travelling in tried to avoid hitting a cow and lost control resulting in them veering off the road and overturning.

The accident happened at the 233km peg along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway at around 5am last Friday.

Police spokesman for Matabe-leland South Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe, said the bodies were taken to Beitbridge District Hospi-tal mortuary.

He identified the victims as Sydney Mushekisi (32) of Murehwa and Ananisai Hove (37) of Duliba-dzimu in Beitbridge.

"The Mitsubishi twin-cab was travelling from Masvingo towards Beitbridge with four people on board.

"Three of them were members of the same family. When they got to the 233km peg the driver saw a cow in his way and tried to avoid hitting it.

"As a result, the vehicle swerved to the right and the driver lost control.

"It then veered off the road and overturned once killing, Sydney Mushekisi instantly.

"Ananisai Hove sustained serious head injuries. The other two occupants, including the driver, escaped unhurt.

"The matter was reported to police and we rushed Hove to Beitbridge District Hospital where she was pronounced dead on admission," he said.

published by the Herald 1 December 2010
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