Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) president Nelson Chamisa says the Beitbridge border refurbishment project has brought suffering to residents and when he assumes power, he will exempt locals from paying levies.
Addressing party supporters at Dulivhadzimu stadium on Sunday, Chamisa said his government would ensure that such multimillion-dollar projects whose costs were inflated will be reversed.
“I have heard concerns that Zimborders has brought suffering to Beitbridge. We understand that you make a living through trading with South Africa. You were paying between R140 and R240 now you are being made to pay R1400. This shows that the government is insensitive,” said Chamisa.
“When we assume power, we will do two things, we will exempt locals so that they are able to trade between South Africa and Zimbabwe. The owner of Zimborders brought in corruption, when we get into power, we will expose such ills.”
Zimborders was awarded the tender to upgrade the region’s busiest port for US$300 million, funded by South African merchant banks.
However, locals and transport operators have lamented the hike in levies charged by the company with private cars, buses and heavy trucks paying US$27, US$80 and US$200, respectively.
