About 600 trucks are marooned at a border entry between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a protest by drivers who have boycotted going into DRC due to alleged harassment by traffic officers in that country, the Times of Zambia reported Wednesday.

The trucks are marooned at Kasumbalesa border post on the Zambian side as drivers were still waiting for assurance from DRC authorities, according to Times.

Southern African Development Community (SADC) Truck Drivers Association Secretary Even Mwape accused Congolese traffic officers of mounting several unnecessary check points in order to solicit for money from drivers.

“We are being mistreated by the Congolese traffic officers and we want the Congolese authorities to do something so that we can feel safe,” he was quoted as saying by the paper.

According to the drivers’ spokesperson, traffic authorities in that country were charging them high fees for small offences.

Meanwhile, customs authorities in Zambia have said the protest and boycott has not affected the operations on the Zambian side, but have warned that if the situation does not normalise, it will result in business losses.

Mr Levy Simatimbe, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) manager at the border, said there was no problem on the Zambian side as his officers were working normally, clearing trucks from DRC .

“We hope the situation will normalise before the five day transit time limit expires. The sad part is that some drivers have perishables such as chickens and any further delay would mean the chickens going bad. Others are carrying highly inflammable consumables which pose a risk to the border and other trucks,” he added.

The current protest comes barely about three months after the Zambian drivers had protested and closed the border in July this year following the setting ablaze of their counterpart in DRC.

On Monday, Zambia’s Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Robert Sichinga said plans were underway to have the border start operating on a 24-hour basis.

 

 

Source: http://www.africareview.com