THE modernised Beitbridge Border Post has become a flagship of the Second Republic’s efficiency drive, with the port of entry now clearing more than 27 000 trucks per month.

The US$300 million Border Post modernisation project was designed to transform the once-congested and chaotic port into a symbol of national efficiency, and it has delivered, from handling 27 300 trucks in May, to 27 900 in June, and a record-breaking 28,800 trucks in July.

Now breaking records of cargo cleared in a month, from 27 000 in May, slightly above that number in June and a staggering 28 000 in July, the numbers reflect a consistent upward trajectory, with the port of entry becoming the epitome of efficiency in the region.

Truck driver, Godfrey Kuzvidza, attested to the transformation.

“I started driving trucks in 2010 and all these years, it was a nightmare here. But now it takes us less than two hours to be done.

“Things have changed, we no longer stress about time at the border, it is efficient,” another truck driver noted. With an efficient team driven by technology and the optimal goal to clear more than 1 000 trucks a day, Beitbridge Border Post has become a major driver of regional development.

“In the past three months, we have been breaking records in terms of the number of trucks coming through this border post. In May, we had 27 300, in June we 27 900 and last month we had 28 800. It translates roughly to 900 trucks a day, but our optimal drive is still the same, we want to clear 1 000 trucks a day,” Zimborders General Manager, Mr Nqobile Ncube stated.

With these staggering numbers, the border post speaks to the Second Republic’s commitment to a technology and innovation-driven, efficient system by 2030.

“We used to have trucks spending days here at the border, but the coming in of the Second Republic and the modernisation of this border has changed that and this is the characteristic of the Second Republic. We want an efficient system that would push industrialisation. I can safely say this border post is a direct reflection of Vision 2030,” the Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Honourable Omphile Marupi said.

The Beitbridge Border Post modernisation project did not only have a direct impact on the travelling public, but also on the residents of Beitbridge, after the establishment of an efficient sewer reticulated system, construction of a water reservoir, establishment of a plant and animal quarantine centre and 200 housing units.