Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THE Government has commenced construction work to expand and modernise Forbes Border Post — a critical gateway to the Beira Corridor — in a bid to ease the persistent chaos and congestion that has crippled operations at the busy crossing in recent months.
The project, spearheaded by President Mnangagwa, aims to transform Zimbabwe’s busiest port of entry, long plagued by lengthy queues and clearance delays that often bring traffic to a standstill.
The development follows a surge in traffic volumes and mounting complaints from truck drivers, and is expected to bring relief to transporters, traders, and travellers alike.
A recent assessment tour revealed a backlog of haulage trucks stretching along the Beira Road, with clearance delays worsening on both the Zimbabwean and Mozambican sides.
The expansion is expected to boost efficiency and capacity, streamline customs procedures, and reduce waiting times for cargo and passengers.
Forbes Border Post serves as a vital trade artery for Zimbabwe’s imports and exports, and its modernisation is viewed as a key step in strengthening regional trade and economic growth.
The tour was co led by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Honourable Kazembe Kazembe, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Honourable Felix Mhona, and Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, alongside Mozambican officials.
Truck drivers voiced frustration during the visit, with some saying they were stranded for more than 24 hours, forced to sleep in their cabs with little access to food, water, or ablution facilities.
Speaking on the sidelines, Minister Mhona said construction had already begun at the new site, starting with the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) section, which will form part of the modernised complex. He confirmed that the contractor responsible for upgrading the Beitbridge Border Post has mobilised equipment and commenced work.
“The contractor, Forbes Border Consortium is now constructing a holding area where trucks will be parked, with proper ablution facilities. This is the bigger picture of the project, the rehabilitation and modernisation of Forbes Border Post to mirror what we have at Beitbridge Border Post,” said Minister Mhona.
He said the modernisation project will be rolled out in phases, while short-term measures are also implemented to reduce the current congestion and pressure. Minister Mhona said Government is committed to accelerate efficiency at Forbes Border Post even before the new border is completed.
“In the short term, we need to enhance efficiency so that we take charge of our border posts. If we work as one, we can move mountains. The work ethic of the Second Republic has changed – it is no longer business as usual.
“The actual stumbling block at this particular border post, of course, is the mountainous terrain where the open space is limited. However, we have also managed to apply for additional land from Government, and it has been availed,” he said.
Forbes Border Consortium project director, Mr Simba Zhou said the expansion work is moving according to plan, with Mutare City Council having already allocated 25 hectares of land for the construction of the VID section of the new border.
The land will also be used temporarily as a staging area to decongest and easy pressure along the Mutare-Beira Road.
“The 25ha you see being worked on will be the new VID site, while in the interim, it will serve as the staging facility to decongest the Mutare-Beira Road. Discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to finalise the approval of designs,” he said, adding that Government is still to allocate the remaining 40ha required for the full build-out of the new border.
“We are waiting for the approval of the balance of the land so that we can start major works in 2026. All these plans depend on land availability, so we kindly request Government to expedite the allocation process,” he said, adding that early work was deliberately initiated ahead of the rainy season to avoid delays.
“This mobilisation stage ensures that when we start the main facility, we do not waste time gathering equipment. Everything will already be on the ground,” said Mr Zhou.
However, the consortium and Government face two critical hurdles.
“We have a fuel service station situated within the footprint of the new border design, and an underground pipeline which passes through the proposed construction area. These elements will need to be relocated or integrated into the master plan before full-scale works can begin and we are currently waiting for guidance,” said Mr Zhou.
Minister Kazembe said the visit by the three ministers was meant to identify the root causes of the congestion and assess progress on the expansion project.
He said the long-term solution lies in the full reconstruction and remodelling of the border.
“The contractor is onsite and work has started. That is the long-term solution, improving and modernising this facility, just like Beitbridge, and I am glad that Minister Mhona is already working on it, and work is already underway. This will help establish corrective measures for the challenges being faced here at the border post,” said Minister Kazembe.
Minister Mugadza also said the land allocation processes are underway between the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
“We have 25 hectares already allocated and 40ha under evaluation. The service station and the delicate pipeline infrastructure are issues we are working through with the relevant custodians,” he said.
Minister Mugadza said congestion at Forbes and Nyamapanda border posts have become untenable, especially ahead of the festive season, and require urgent interventions.
“Manicaland is only 300 kilometres from Beira. Trade is booming, our economy is rebounding, but we cannot ignore the congestion that has paralysed these border posts. We have agreed with our counterparts in Manica Province in Mozambique to implement immediate measures while we wait for the long-term redevelopment,” he said.
Government’s new short-term measures, confirmed during Tuesday post-Cabinet briefing, include widening the main gate at Forbes, enforcing 24-hour operations by all border agencies, and separating empty trucks from loaded ones to speed up clearance.
Minister Mugadza said 60 percent of the queuing trucks were empty and should not be clogging the system.
“We cannot leave the situation as it is. Once empty trucks are separated and all companies comply with the 24-hour operational rule, we expect a much smoother flow,” he said.
The congestion has become a serious economic and logistical concern, with delays affecting exporters, importers, logistics firms and international trade corridors linking Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Port of Beira.
