Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The South African government is pressing ahead with its plans to modernise six Ports of Entry including Beitbridge as part of its efforts to improve the movement of people and goods in the Sadc region.
The six earmarked ports of entry are: Beitbridge – Zimbabwe, Lebombo – Mozambique, Maseru Bridge – Lesotho, Ficksburg – Lesotho, Kopfontein – Botswana and Oshoek – Eswatini.
The move is set to improve efficiency and match the development matrix between South Africa and its neighbours including Zimbabwe which has since transformed its component of the border.
Already, the Zimbabwean government has completed upgrading Beitbridge Border Post at a cost of US$300 million in a private public partnership with the Zimborders consortium.
Beitbridge (Zimbabwe) which now has three terminals for freight, buses and private cars/pedestrians and is also automated links South Africa with Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Angola, DRC, Malawi and Tanzania.
In 2023, South Africa announced that the six (POE) projects will cover the full infrastructure development of each designated border post and the provision of the required services.
In a statement, the Border Management Authority (BMA)-South Africa said it will announce today (Tuesday) the successful bidders appointed to lead the redevelopment of six strategic ports of entry.
“This redevelopment represents more than an infrastructure upgrade; it marks the foundation of a new era for South Africa’s borders,” said the BMA.
“The project forms part of the Government’s commitment to strengthening border security, enhancing the movement of people and goods, and supporting economic growth through world-class, technology-driven infrastructure.
“The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber and the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Njabulo Nzuza, will outline how the multi-year redevelopment programme will improve traveller experience and advance integrated border management operations. The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority, Dr Michael Masiapato, will announce the successful bidders”.
It is understood that South Africa’s ports of entry were designed during the apartheid era with the primary objective of tightened security whilst neglecting the effective facilitation of regional and international trade.
Since the advent of democracy, there has been an exponential increase in the number of people moving between South Africa and the countries in the region at the same time the volume of regional and international trade has similarly increased.
The Herald understands that the outcome of the redevelopment of the six major Ports of Entry will be used as a blueprint in the long-term for all other South Africa’s land ports of entry.
