via Beitbridge graft scares away tourists, ZTA – New Zimbabwe 04/10/2015
MUTARE: Numbers of South African tourists coming into the country have declined as compared to previous years due to corruption at the Beitbridge border post, says Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) boss.
Speaking at a ZTA consultative meeting held in the eastern border town recently, ZTA Chief Karikoga Kaseke said the number of tourist arrivals from South Africa has declined from 1 300 000 in 2010 to 600 000 last year.
Kaseke shouldered the blame on what he described “corrupt and greedy officials” manning the Beitbridge border post.
Border posts are manned by Department of Immigration and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).
Kaseke described the situation at Beitbridge as a “nightmare for the country”.
He said the situation at Beitbridge was pathetic and needed urgent intervention if the tourism sector was to regain its lost glory.
“Beitbridge border post is a nightmare to this country. It has made us lose 700 000 arrivals between 2010 and 2014,” said Kaseke, adding “corruption is happening in the broad daylight”.
He, however, accepted that the infrastructure at the country’s border points was in bad shape and there was need for a refurbishment.
He said the task was being overseen by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
A senior Immigration official, Terrence Tandavarai said they were doing their best to serve those who cross borders in difficult situations.
“We are doing our best under difficult situations. When a tourist is delayed he passes on information to his colleagues and this contributes to a decline in arrivals,” said Tandavarai.
COMMENTS
The only reason this is not a drive through border along the lines of the Canada/USA or USA/Mexico borders is because of the desire to extract money from travelers weather by the government or officials in their private capacity.
Add to this the ZRP at road blocks who are only out to collect money and to the tourist they would stop at nothing to extort max out of them
The country’s border points was in bad shape and there was need for a refurbishment. ( AH HA SO TO STOP THE) “corrupt and greedy officials” manning the Beitbridge border post. (WE NEED TO REFURBISH THE PLACE) Does he even know what refurbish means– I DOUBT IT!!
I used the bridge as a tourist from SA with a hired car.. It took me ..no lies.. 5 hours to get cleared, and a few pounds and dollars as well .. This is with nothing to declare…
Zim … Time is money
The bridge puts tourists off as it is a nightmare.Used to go to zim often but I go to other destinations now.The hastle and bribery is just not worth it!!!
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN…
I SUGEST A SIMPLE LOGICAL APPROACH WOULD SAVE TIME AND OVERALL CONVENIENCE
ie FIRST,,,,, INCREASE THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS MANING THE POST SO THAT THEY CAN INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMMING THRU THE BOARDER, ELLIMINATE QUEING.
SECONDLY,,,,SCREEN ALL 0FFICERS EMPLOYED AT THESE STATIONS SO THAT THE COUNTRY IS REPRESENTED BY PEOPLE THAT ARE INCORUPTABLE HAVING A CLEARE UNDERSTANDING OF THE RESPONSIBLE POSITION THAT DEMANDS ECELLENCE FROM THEM
Its a shame I was there yday. Look at how they get fair market prize.
First of all the Leaders themselves need understand the importance of the tourist and the travelling public in the first place. secondly the management at the border post have to understand why they are there as well. When this has been understood then the rest of the staff will catch up and the etiquette will change. Clients will be respected, greeted and loved as the goose that is laying the golden egg. Training of the officers should have a different approach where clients are seen as smugglers and objects of plunder. Same with the police should remove a silly roadblock before the roundabout and numerous others before the tollgate
The mind boggles with that response!!! Hold the press!!!
I have personal information on how good money spending tourists are fleeced by customs officials, police and con men posing as police [hopefully not real police].
My Wife, My Mother [89] traveled from Beit Bridge to Harare on 30th June this year in a hired carfrom South Africa. Here is a catalogue of rip offs we were subjected to:
1 /Conned into buying commercial temporary export permit [$20 + another $20 to [speed things up]
2 $ 40 for not displaying reflective strips . In addition we were threatened with long delays while our car and our persons were searched . This in response to my objection to being asked “how much do you want to pay?”
3 Conned by man in policeman’s uniform out of $150 just outside Masvingo for supposedly going the wrong way down a one way in Masvingo .
4/ 2 x $20 for not stopping at a stop streets in Harare . [no road markings and an unreadable stop signs.
5/ $10 for doing 43 Km/hour in a 40Km zone just outside Kadoma. [probably the only legitimate penalty]
I will more precise details to any Zimbabwe tourism official who is interested and also suggestions as to how this could be minimised in the future. My email address is ianchap@tiscali.co.uk
i have refused to travel via best bridge for years
its a den of thieves
its also responsible for about 30% of zimra revenues so its importance is undeniable.
sadly for us, in the eyes of the government, the importance of beit bridge as a national revenue generator is overshadowed by its importance as a vehicle for patronage and corruption.
Is. Jimbo really in charge of monitoring thievery at the boarder? Then Zimbabwe is on real danger as the fox can’t take care of chickens.