Protestors burn ZIMRA warehouse at Beitbridge Border Post

A ZIMRA warehouse in Beitbridge has been burnt as protests over the ban on imports continue in the border town and across the South African border.

Three people have since been arrested, with the police and army now in full force in the town. Shops were closed for the better part of today as residents protested against the ban on imports.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and the Department of Immigration are advising members of the public that contrary to some reports circulating in the social media, Beitbridge Border Post has not been closed.

In a statement to ZBC News, ZIMRA and the Immigration Department said the border post is operational in spite of the minor disturbances in residential areas of Beitbridge town that have been caused by the implementation of Statutory Instrument (SI) 64 of 2016.

The authority is implementing SI 64 of 2016 as gazetted and members of the public are encouraged to comply with the requirements.

Protestors burn ZIMRA warehouse at Beitbridge Border Post

ZIMRA also said if there are any grievances with the provisions of SI 64 of 2016, the issues should be raised through relevant structures to engage government for appropriate consideration.

ZIMRA and the Department of Immigration is in the meantime apologising to law abiding and genuine travellers and traders who may have been inconvenienced by the disturbances.

Reports from the border town say the Zimbabwe Republic Police is handling the disturbances to maintain law and order as well as protecting staff, genuine travellers and traders.