Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
ZIMBABWEAN and South African border authorities in Beitbridge have started implementing an integrated traffic-flow management system, running from Wednesday until January 15 next year, to improve efficiency and enhance traveller safety during the festive season.
The festive period traditionally brings a surge in human and vehicular traffic, with Beitbridge Border Post serving as the busiest inland port of entry in sub-Saharan Africa.
The border connects South Africa to the northbound regional corridor and during major holidays, an estimated half a million travellers, including those destined for Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique and Botswana, pass through the port.
Beitbridge has long been characterised by bottlenecks during peak travel periods due to high traffic volumes, outdated infrastructure and fragmented coordination between Zimbabwean and South African border agencies.
However, Zimbabwe has significantly improved its side of the border following the US$300 million modernisation project implemented under a public-private partnership with the Zimborders Consortium.
The revamp introduced separate terminals for commercial trucks, buses, light vehicles and pedestrians, streamlining traffic flows and improving traveller experience.
South Africa is yet to upgrade its side of the border, where congestion often builds first before spilling over. Already, long queues are forming on the South African side, although the situation remains manageable in Zimbabwe due to the redesigned processing system.
To prevent delays, the two countries have agreed to harmonise operations through the integrated inter-border agencies committee, which facilitates joint planning, information sharing and coordinated traffic control.
Immigration officer-in-charge for the Southern region, Mr Joshua Chibundu, said manpower has been increased in anticipation of the holiday rush.
“We have adequate manpower with full deployments at all service points. Off and leave days have been suspended so we operate at full strength,” he said.
Mr Chibundu also warned travellers against dealing with bogus agents purporting to assist them.
South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Mmemme Mogotsi, said their 2025/2026 festive season operational plan was launched in Pretoria on Sunday.
