Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE South African government has started rolling out a series of consultation meetings with various stakeholders as part of its plans to introduce toll fees on vehicles entering the country via the Beitbridge Border Post, as part of a broader realignment of border operations.
At the moment motorists are only levied toll fees upon entering or leaving the Zimbabwean side of the border. Under the proposed arrangement, Zimbabwe will continue to collect toll fees for vehicles heading north, while South Africa will begin levying toll fees on vehicles entering its territory.
The plan stems from concessions made when Zimbabwe assumed ownership of the New Limpopo Bridge (NLB) in June 2014, at the expiry of a 20-year Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement with New Limpopo Bridge (Ltd), the company that built the bridge.
The bridge was officially commissioned in 1995 by the late former Presidents Cdes Robert Mugabe and Nelson Mandela. The handover ceremony in 2014 was attended by then Transport and
Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu and his South African counterpart Dipuo Peters.
South Africa’s National Road Agency Limited (SANRAL) is spearheading the implementation of the tolling plan. SANRAL spokesperson, Mr Lwando Mahlasela, confirmed that consultation sessions on the intent to toll began during the week of September 8–12, with another scheduled for October 17.
“The Minister of Transport, Ms Barbara Creecy, recently approved the intent to toll Beitbridge (the border post and bridge between South Africa and Zimbabwe). The intent to toll was published via Government Gazette No 53178 on 15 August 2025,” he said.
“Travellers crossing the border between the two countries have always paid a toll fee in Zimbabwe for both northbound and southbound traffic. Going forward, South Africa will take over tolling for southbound traffic entering its border facilities.”
According to Mr Mahlasela, revenue from the new toll fees will be channelled towards the construction of a new third freight bridge and a modern processing facility to support the Smart Border initiative. It will also fund the ongoing maintenance of facilities, roads and bridges.
He said the new tolling system will bring several benefits, including seamless and quicker border flow through dedicated lanes for freight, light vehicles and passenger vehicles.
Mr Mahlasela said the Beitbridge border post on the South African side has long been notorious for delays, particularly during peak periods.
He said the anticipated toll system will reduce congestion, minimise fuel wastage and ensure predictable transit times.
“The system will also feature automated and transparent tolling to modernise the road user experience,” said Mr Mahlasela.
He added that SANRAL will continue engaging stakeholders through a comprehensive public process, targeting Beitbridge Border Post users, state-owned entities such as the Border Management Authority (BMA), South African Revenue Services (SARS), Cross-Border Road and Traffic Agency (C-BRTA), Limpopo Province municipalities, provincial departments and the Office of the Premier.
The Beitbridge Border Post is the busiest land port of entry in sub-Saharan Africa, handling over 14 000 people and 6 000 vehicles daily at peak times. It is a critical trade corridor linking South Africa to the rest of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The Zimbabwean side of the border underwent major modernisation projects, with the Government completing a US$300 million upgrade in 2021, which has helped decongest and streamline operations.
