Coltart raps congestion at Beitbridge

January 7, 2013

News Day

By Moses Matenga

7 January 2013

A CABINET minister has rapped the level of congestion at the country’s main entry point, Beitbridge Border Post, where motorists driving out of the country are reportedly spending several hours queuing to be cleared.

Education minister David Coltart yesterday posted a Facebook post describing the chaos at Beitbridge as a national embarrassment and an obstruction to the country’s bid to attract foreign tourists.

“The situation at Beitbridge remains intolerable, unacceptable and a major obstruction to Zimbabwe ever attracting significant tourists from South Africa,” Coltart said.

Thousands of Zimbabweans working in South Africa were supposed to start work today, but fears are that they will fail to make it due to the pressure at the border post.

“Beitbridge and of course all borders, do not fall under my ministry, so to that extent it is none of my business. However, as senator for Khumalo (constituency) and therefore of a city, Bulawayo, which desperately needs South African tourists and investment, I am deeply concerned about this ongoing calamity.

“We have to move from talk to urgent action. In my view, this situation needs a massive, urgent effort by both the South African and Zimbabwean governments. If need be, we should be considering the construction of another road to South Africa – for example the most direct (as the crow flies) route is south through Kezi. I believe that road needs to be upgraded and a new border constructed over the Shashi and a road constructed through Botswana direct to say Martin’s Drift,” he added.“But in the short term, radical measures need to be introduced at Beitbridge — this is a national embarrassment and is costing Zimbabwe hundreds of millions of dollars of lost potential tourist revenue and other revenue every year.”

Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office, Jameson Timba, concurred, adding there was need for urgent attention to address the issue.

“I share your sentiments David. Let’s tag team this quarter and see how far we can push the relevant ministers,” Timba said.
Both Home Affairs co-ministers Theresa Makone and Kembo Mohadi could not be reached for comment yesterday.