Action plan on track for busy Moz border

Additional staff are expected to be deployed by both the South African and Mozambican governments in an effort to address the large volume of people expected at border posts between the two countries in December. According to Barbara Mommen, COO of the Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative (MCLI), a border planning meeting, attended by stakeholders and government officials from both countries, was held earlier this month to finalise planning for the peak volumes of traffic crossing the border during the December period. MCLI said transport operators from South Africa moving across the border needed to have permits issued by the Cross- Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA) while cargo clearing hours would be from 06:00 to 22:00 daily. “It is important to remember cargo will be cleared at Kilometer 4 in Mozambique and at the old airport on the South African side and will be escorted through the frontier separately from passenger traffic,” said Mommen. A 24-hour operation for passenger traffic will be effective at Lebombo/Ressano Garcia from 06:00 on November 28 until January 16 next year. All buses, taxis and commercial vehicles must be cleared at the old airport near Komatipoort from December 12. The Lebombo Border Dry Port will also operate 24 hours a day during the peak season.