Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
A severe traffic backlog that clogged the South African side of the Beitbridge Border Post for five days has been cleared following the implementation of new measures by authorities.
The congestion had left travellers stranded for up to 10 hours when entering or leaving South Africa by road.
According to Border Management Authority (BMA) spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Mmemme Mogotsi, the situation improved significantly by Tuesday evening.
“The road is clear for small or light motor vehicles. Traffic officials are still hands-on on all deployment points to control traffic. Trucks are now at the weighbridge, less than 3km from the border gate,” she said.
The resolution involved opening more service points and enhancing coordination between inter-border agencies. To manage the predictable festive season surge, officials from South Africa and Zimbabwe are running a coordinated traffic plan from 10 December to 15 January. This includes deploying more manpower, opening additional workstations, and streamlining operations.
Currently, border authorities are processing approximately 1 300 light vehicles, 1 000 commercial trucks and 250 buses daily.
During a working visit to the border, Beitbridge’s Assistant Regional Immigration Officer-in-Charge, Mrs Canisia Magaya, noted the increased traffic volume.
She said that officials are processing around 18 300 travellers daily, with arrivals peaking at 15 000.
The visit was conducted by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Barbara Rwodzi, who was accompanied by local officials.
