SPIKES - A DANGER TO EVERYONE

It is with shock and utter disbelief that we noticed that spikes have been permanently erected at some points in the border post.

Border Authorities have recently been battling to control the movement of the crossborder couriers better known as Omalaitsha who in some cases overwhelm the security guards and park anyhow.

We however noticed that the dangerous devices have been placed with no warning signs placing the lives of pedestrians and motorists in danger.

So guys if you are in the Zimbabwe side of the border post, please mind your step.

Our group on telegram is www.t.me/crossingbeitbridge

EARTHQUAKE SHAKES BEITBRIDGE

At 1940hrs tremours were felt in part of Beitbridge. We at the Crossing Beitbridge ran outside when we observed the windows of our office building vibrating.
There were no damages.
We urge those driving to be on the lookout for rocks or landslides in mountainous areas.
The Border was not affected and continues to work properly.
Happy travelling.
 http://earthquake-report.com/2017/04/03/very-strong-earthquake-botswana-on-april-3-2017/ 

BEITBRIDGE BORDER CHARGES - NORTHBOUND

Table of border charges at Beitbridge. 

BEITBRIDGE (ZIM) BORDER CHARGES FOR FOREIGN REGISTERED PRIVATE VEHICLES.

Documentation to be produced.

1. Valid passport of the driver.
2. Vehicle registration book in the name of the driver.
3. Letter of authority from the registered owner if vehicle is not owned by the driver.
4. Temporary exportation document from the Customs authorities in the country from where the visitor is coming from. (Though this may not be asked for everytime)
5. Bank clearance letter if the vehicle is still under hire purchase
6. Police clearance (temporary).

WOULD TRAVELLERS PLEASE NOTE THAT ITS ADVISABLE TO CARRY LOOSE MONEY WHEN CROSSING BORDERS AS CHANGE MAY BE VERY SCARCE DURING HOLIDAYS.

What are the fees and charges payable?

Please note that there is no charge for issuance of a TIP per se. However, there are other fees that are payable at the point of entry such as third party insurance, carbon tax and road access fees. Kindly note that customs rates of exchange may differ with bank rates and even between departments.

Conditions governing TIP

1. The vehicle should be for the personal use of the visitor.
2. The driver should undertake to remove the vehicle from Zimbabwe at the expiry of the TIP or at the time they leave Zimbabwe, whichever occurs first.
3. No visitor shall sell, offer , or display for sale, lease, hire, lend, pledge or dispose of the vehicle in any other manner to any resident in Zimbabwe without prior written authority of the Commissioner General of Zimra and payment of full duty applicable at the time the vehicle was imported into Zimbabwe.
4. In the event of extended stay of the visitor, the TIP holder should approach the nearest ZIMRA office for extension of the TIP upon payment of carbon tax and insurance.
In the case of a breakdown or an accident, the holder of the TIP should report to the nearest ZIMRA office immediately.

Points to note

Drivers of the foreign registered vehicles should read and understand the declaration and undertaking at the bottom of the TIP before signing it and ensure all details entered are true and correct.

Any breach of the conditions governing the temporary importation of visitors’ vehicles will result in the vehicle being confiscated (seized).

Beware of touts! Seek the assistance of ZIMRA officers at the points of entry.

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BEITBRIDGE - THE DOOR TO AND FROM "AFRICA"

Loaded and heading into Africa.

Hate it or like it, Beitbridge is one of the busiest ports of entry to and from South Africa for countries in Central and Eastern Africa with countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo and even far afield like Tanzania.

Goods and people to and from these countries choose this border post to access one of Africa's largest economies.

As a result the border is busy with both goods carrying vehicles, buses and private cars.

On a good day, one can go through the border formalities of both the Zimbabwe and South Africa in an average of thirty minutes and in the same vein, if the travellers arrive at the same time, then chaos and huge delays of up to five hours are not uncommon.

The secret is to know when to arrive and most importantly what to do and when to do it.

Those who have had the opportunity to experience the border at its worst mostly vow never to come back through the border and in the same vein, some will always travel  to South Africa using the same route every time.

Stories are told of people in the bid to jump the queue have lost vast amounts of money to touts who solicit business to tired and often confused travellers by offering to "do it quickly'.

The best advice we give travellers is to be organised with your paperwork in one place and not to show that you are carrying lots of money.

We as Crossing Beitbridge are committing ourselves to provide information to travellers that will help in making it easy for travellers to cross.

A number of products have been put in place to try and help travellers navigate their way through the often busy border post.

We know we may never stop the ripping off of travellers by touts who offer to "help" but usually end up demanding huge sum of money from unsuspecting travellers.

We have published an application which we definitely hope will help travellers by showing them what to do, how to do it  and when.  

The application is still at an early stage but we are confident one day it will be a pleasure for one to Cross Beitbridge.

      

Crossing Beitbridge Border with children: what is needed?

1. Where both parents are travelling.

a. Birthcertificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.
b. Valid Passport.

2. Where One Parent is travelling
a. Valid passport.
b. Birthcertificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.
c. Affidavit from the absent parent
d. Copy of identity document and or passport of the absent parent.

3. Where child is travelling with relative/guardian
a. Valid passport.
b. Birthcertificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.
c. Affidavit signed by both absent parents
d. Copies of identity documents and or passport of both absent parents.

4. Single mother (Child uses mother’s surname)(Illegitimate child)
a. Valid passport.
b. Birthcertificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.

5. Deceased Parent/parents
a. Copies of death certifiate of one or both of the deceased parents.
b. Valid passport.
c. Affidavit signed by guardian
d. Birthcertificate/baby clinic card/medical aid card.

http://crossingbeitbridge.tumblr.com/

BEITBRIDGE BORDER: AN EARLY ANALYSIS

It may be early for us to give an analysis of the performance of border authorities during the past Christmas and New Year holidays, allow us guys to give a round of applause to the dedicated teams of border authorities from both sides of Beitbridge Border Post. 

One thing that became apparent is that with proper planning and dedication, the authorities managed to be on top of the situation and in the process managed to serve the travelling community efficiently without compromising on security.

Of note was the leading of the team leaders who did a sterling job by being where the action was and making quick and timely decisions, this saw the equitable distribution of travellers to the numerous processing points and yes, it was a beauty for once in so many years to pass through Beitbridge.

On the negative side, we would like to mention the late deployment of relief staff by Zimra but the moment that the staff arrived we saw a marked improvement in processing time. The method that Zimra used in releasing motor vehicles was quite effective as officers were approaching clients to inspect vehicles unlike the previous years when travellers had to look for officers.

We are still to see the last of the waves of travellers going either way as schools and industry open next week, its our hope that the professionalism and dedication shown during the past four weeks will continue and that travellers will have a pleasant experience of crossing Beitbridge.

We believe a proper analysis will be carried out by the different stake holders and remedial action taken where flaws in the system were noted. 

Unlike last year, we believe when the Ministers of Home Affairs from both Zimbabwe and South Africa meet it will be to congratulate each other's team for a job well done.

You, the travellers were wonderful, patient and very understanding.

Those of you who still have to travel, we would like to wish you a safe journey to your various bases across southern Africa.

Drive to arrive alive

#teamcrossingbeitbridge

https://www.facebook.com/crossingbeitbridge

BEITBRIDGE BORDER UPDATE: 09 JANUARY 2014

Beitbridge Update: 9 January 2014

Today marks the beginning of the second and last southbound wave of holiday season travellers going back to South Africa.

The first wave was handled well by authorities on both sides of the Beitbridge border, its also our hope that this also will not be a problem and that delays won't be severe.

we would like to urge you the travelling public to have all your papers (personal and car) in order and easily accessible so that you will not delay yourself and others while you are looking for them.

Those going to South Africa in private motor vehicles once your papers have been stamped on the Zimbabwe side get back into your car and cross to SA in the car, SA authorities are stamping your passports per vehicle and this is quite fast as you won't be stuck on the pedestrian section at the border.

We wish you guys a safe journey back to South Africa.

#teamcrossingbeitbridge

https://www.facebook.com/crossingbeitbridge