MIDWEEK REPORTER
BEITBRIDGE-The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and Crossborders4ED are set to meet on Monday, May 1, discuss issues that affect the smooth operations of the two entities.
In a letter in our possession ZIMRA invited Crossborders4ED for a crucial indaba where they intend to share notes on ways to improve relations, educate cross border traders on customs clearance procedures and point out areas that require improvement.
“The purpose of the workshop is to educate Cross Border Traders on the customs clearance procedures which they should adhere to as they transport goods across the border.
“The forum will also present an opportunity to discuss challenges encountered by both parties during the clearance process and map the way forward,” reads the letter signed by Mrs W. Chiyangwa who is the Beitbridge border post regional manager.
National chairman of Crossborders4ED, David Masomere welcomed the indaba and said it will give them an opportunity to share their concerns with the treasury revenue collector.
“We appreciate the move by ZIMRA as dialogue is the best way to solve our differences. We are obviously not happy with the way ZIMRA officials do their business where one is checked at the border post and along the way from Beitbridge to Harare there are countless check points.
“If the officials at the border post are not good enough, then they should deploy those from Masvingo to the border than causing unnecessary delays along the way.
“President Mnangagwa rehabilitated the highway and it is faster and safer to travel, but we encounter too many check points.
“This negatively affect our business as we spend days on the road instead of making money as the President said nyika inovakwa navene vayo.
“We are also going to encourage them to speed up the clearing turnaround time from an average of 2hours to less than 30minutes per individual,” said Masomere.
