I have just got back from a day trip to Francistown, Botswana. I had to take my car out of Zim and get a new temporary import as I have been in Zim for about a year now. I was quite apprehensive as I set out at 6am in the morning – borders are never straightforward – especially with so much corruption flying around. We arrived at the Border about half an hour after it opened, flew straight through the Zim side and arrived at the Bots side to be welcomed by a massive queue of people. We parked the car and walked to the back, standing in the morning cold taking gradual steps forward at a very slow pace. After about 40 minutes I commented on how there were no white people in the queue, and that I was sure I had seen cars carrying white people pass us in the queue. I thought surely there can not be two queues? I saw another car drive past and followed them. It turned out those with cars were all going through to the front. You think they would have a sign – “if you can afford a car – you afford to go to the front”. I am not sure whether I was right or wrong but with freezing cold fingers and feet my car load and I moved to the front and sailed through the border (I was the only white chick!!) I was overjoyed to arrive in Francistown about 930am to find the fuel was only 5pula (about 1/2 the price in Zim), and filled the car with peoples shopping and fuel. It felt good to spend other peoples money in shops with shelves full of choice, and buy clothes for people I had never met (guessing their sizes and shapes!) The time went fast and by 3pm we were on the road again – with butterflies in my stomach we approached the border. After my BeitBridge experience moving to Zim I was not looking forward to this – but knowing there was much prayer covering this trip, I went through all the paper work – sailed through Botswana, and sailed through the Zim side with no car searches, or handing in of forms. The funniest part was probably at the ZIMRA desk as I tried to get the new Temporary Import Permit, the conversation went something like this:
ZIMRA: When will you be returning it?
SUE: Return what?
ZIMRA: The car?
SUE: Where?
ZIMRA: To South Africa?
SUE: To South Africa?
ZIMRA: Yes, when will you be returning with the car to South Africa?
SUE: Oh right, when will I be returning to South Africa? Right – this is a temporary permit……Um, well, UM – maybe just give me three months?
ZIMRA: Three months? No.
SUE: Okay – well um, I have insurance until mid August?
ZIMRA: Okay
So thanks for praying for a smooth crossing and my stupidity! I am happily home with a fresh clean TIP! Please pray I can get an extension from Bulawayo before leaving for the UK.
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