The Principles for the Zimbabwe Border Management Authority Bill have been approved, setting the stage for the creation of a single, specialized agency to oversee and integrate all border processes.
The decision, announced following the latest Cabinet meeting, aims to dismantle the fragmented system currently involving a "multiplicity of Ministries, Departments and Agencies" and introduce a streamlined, centrally coordinated approach to border management.
The Minister of Justice, Legal and and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Zyambi, presented the Principles, which were adopted by Cabinet. The central rationale behind the Bill is to address pervasive inefficiencies and coordination challenges that have arisen from the existence of numerous government bodies independently handling border entry and exit procedures.
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The proposed BMA will serve as a dedicated management authority responsible for effective coordination, rationalization, and integration of all functions related to the country's ports of entry and border law enforcement areas.
The government anticipates the new legislation will result in a single chain of command, leading to improved efficiency, transparency, and expedited movement of people and legitimate trade across Zimbabwe's borders. By replacing the current siloed system, the BMA is intended to be a specialized agency operating under a unified structure.
“The rationale is to address inefficiencies arising from the existence of a multiplicity of Ministries, Departments and Agencies all working on border entry and exit processes. The outcome of the Bill will be the creation of a specialized agency under a centrally coordinated authority,” the minister said.
The development of the Zimbabwe Border Management Authority Bill follows earlier engagements and bilateral visits, where the Zimbabwean government expressed interest in regional models for integrated border control.
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