Illegal crossings between Zambia and Zimbabwe have surged due to the declining water levels in the Zambezi River, which separates the two nations. The reduced water is attributed to the ongoing drought caused by the El Niño weather pattern, resulting in lower rainfall.
Border authorities note that when the river is at flood stage, it acts as a natural barrier, deterring illegal crossings and smuggling activities. Acting Immigration Regional Manager Morgan Moyo informed a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce delegation that the Chirundu One-Stop Border Post is compromised, with travelers bypassing immigration controls through various unauthorized crossing points along the river.
“We once took great pride in the Zambezi River, which was always full and brimming with crocodiles, acting as a natural barrier against illegal crossings,” Moyo shared with the parliamentarians.
“Currently, however, the water levels have dropped to unprecedented lows, allowing people to cross the river with ease at almost any point,” he added.
“This situation means that illegal crossings are now more frequent, and monitoring these activities is difficult, particularly because some crossing points are within the national park.
“Given that Chirundu One-Stop Border Post is located within the park, conducting land patrols is problematic, as it could lead to being mistaken for poachers,” Moyo noted.
The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) has promised to increase the number of rangers patrolling the border and to deploy drones to detect illegal crossings, Moyo noted.
He called on Members of Parliament to create unified legislation to expedite clearance procedures between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
“We need to synchronize our regulations for both countries to make our one-stop border post fully operational, which will help reduce the time travelers and truckers spend at the border,” Moyo explained.
“Although we have combined our traditional procedures, we haven’t yet achieved the desired reduction in processing time. We are currently falling short in advancing the one-stop border system,” he added.
“We urge lawmakers to ensure that our laws and working hours are synchronized,” Moyo stated.
Angeline Mashiri, regional manager at the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), linked the delays at the border to inadequate infrastructure.
She highlighted the need to upgrade the border post, which is located within a national park.
“Modernization is essential. The current setup impacts the movement of people and goods,” Mashiri explained.
“Since the border posts on both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides were constructed, the one-stop border system has not been introduced…there is significant traffic overlap in the control area.”
Mashiri noted that upgrading the border post would facilitate the installation of advanced surveillance technology and the use of drones to prevent smuggling.
Ngonidzashe Mudekunye, Chair of the Industry and Commerce Parliamentary Portfolio, indicated that his committee is investigating ways to advise agencies on improving business processes.
“Our mission supports the President’s ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ initiative. We are here to explore how to enhance border efficiency, ensure proper revenue collection, and improve overall business conditions while adhering to laws and regulations,” Mudekunye said.
“There are several issues at Chirundu that need attention. We’ve observed long queues and numerous trucks, and it’s clear that there are procedures that need to be aligned between Zambia and Zimbabwe,” Mudekunye noted.
“Additionally, we have been informed that the Zimbabwean side could benefit from additional resources such as more officers, updated computers, and improved office facilities, as some current offices are inadequate. These are areas we are evaluating and will recommend improvements to the government,” added the Buhera South Member of Parliament.
Transport operators have called on the government to simplify the complex import customs clearance processes at ports of entry, criticizing the existing regulations as inefficient.
The Chirundu border post is scheduled for a significant upgrade, with an estimated cost of US$66.8 million, following the establishment of a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and the Chirundu Border Consortium, a collaboration of local companies.
