Zimbabwean Minister of Transport and Communications Christopher Mushohwe said on Monday that the government would soon introduce road tolls at all border posts, a development that would see motorists being charged at entry and exit points of the country.

The fees will apply to both local and foreign-registered vehicles that use the country's border posts, according to the minister.

South Africa-registered lighter vehicles using the country's border posts would have to pay 30 rand (about 4.6 US dollars) per entry and a similar figure when exiting while the Botswana- registered lighter vehicles would be charged 25 pula (about 4 dollars) per entry and exit.

Other foreign-registered vehicles would be required to pay 5 US dollars per entry and exit.

For local light vehicles using the country's border posts, a charge of 150,000 Zimbabwean dollars (about 2 US dollars) would apply with local heavy vehicles paying 300,000 Zimbabwean dollars (about 4 US dollars).

"We are still carrying out infrastructural work before we start charging tollgate fees for our local cities, and in three or so months time we should start charging tollgate fees for the major cities," said the minister.

"The money that we would be charging would be used to rehabilitate and maintain those roads," he said.

Fee levels for foreign-registered heavy vehicles that have already been paying the charge would be determined by load and distance.

The introduction of levies has been a burning issue with parliamentarians having to question Deputy Minister of Transport and Communication Hubert Nyanhongo in the House in August this year on progress over the matter.

The deputy minister assured them then that preparations were at an advanced stage.

Road tolls would go a long way in improving road maintenance, particularly the highways, where the fee would be chargeable.

The system is used in many developed countries and others on the continent such as South Africa where motorists driving on major highways pay at certain points for the maintenance of the roads.

Several towns and cities, including Harare and Masvingo, have had long-standing plans to introduce road tolls, which is a common feature in other countries but a relatively new concept in Zimbabwe.

Source: Xinhua