BOTSWANA- Officials of Botswana has approved the immediate ban of all imported second-hand vehicles from passing through its territory, a development that will affect imports from Europe through Namibia.

CEOAFRICA.com gathered that Zimbabweans who import European vehicles through Walvis Bay Port in Namibia mostly drive through Botswana, though some go through Zambia via the Trans-Caprivi Corridor rather than the Trans-Kalahari Corridor.

South Africa already has a similar ban in place and cars from Asia that come through Durban Port must be ferried on vehicle carriers up to Beitbridge.

This significantly increases the cost of importing a vehicle into Zimbabwe.

Botswana's Transport and Communication Ministry said the ban was imposed after realising that most unregistered vehicle's road worthiness was unknown, thus posing a danger to the public.

"The main reason for the ban is in compliance to the Road Traffic Act Sections 6 and 16, which states that only vehicles registered in Botswana are allowed on the road. Any unregistered vehicle found on Botswana's roads will be impounded," a circular released by the ministry reads.

It said vehicle importers must use registered car transporters or flat-bed truck carriers, else their cars would be impounded.

It further pointed out that the imported vehicles in transit were often uninsured and this posed problems in the event of an accident.

"Unregistered vehicles are being increasingly used in crimes and there is no way of identifying the culprits," the Botswana government added.

The move will affect vehicle imports by Zimbabweans who import second-hand cars from Europe.

Ferrying a car by carrier through Botswana costs anywhere between US$1 000 and US$1 500 depending on type and size of vehicle.