Commercial freight flows through the Beitbridge border post remain largely uninterrupted despite a surge in passenger traffic linked to ongoing deportation and voluntary repatriation processes.
More than 35 000 people have been processed through the border post since June 7, according to the Border Management Authority (BMA), which said it was managing increased pressure at the crossing between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Officials were simultaneously handling deportations, voluntary repatriations and the normal movement of people and goods, BMA Acting Commissioner David Chalembe said.
Road Freight Association (RFA) CEO Gavin Kelly said reports from transporters indicated that the increased passenger traffic had not caused severe disruptions to commercial freight flows.
“The RFA has been receiving queries about the impact of increased passenger traffic at borders – especially Beitbridge – due to the sudden increase in buses repatriating people to their respective countries,” Kelly said.
There had been reports of unroadworthy vehicles, travellers without the necessary documentation and increased numbers of vehicles moving through infrastructure with limited processing and crossing capacity, he added.
Conditions had been described as similar to a prolonged festive-season peak, with pressure on processing capacity and available space, Kelly said.
Passenger vehicles deemed unroadworthy or unable to continue their journeys have been held at the Musina weighbridge or truck stop, where additional parking is available, helping to prevent congestion at the border post.
“This has meant that there have been some instances where parking and rest stops are at a premium, and companies have had to add extra security resources in and around the traditional freight parking areas,” Kelly said.
Freight continues moving
Pre-cleared trucks have continued to cross the border around the clock, providing some relief from the increased pressure caused by passenger traffic.
“There have not been severe delays to the movement of freight. Pre-cleared vehicles can traverse the border on a 24-hour basis, which offers some relief,” Kelly said.
Some transporters have reported slower crossing times depending on the time of day and conditions at the border.
Kelly said there had also been increased law-enforcement activity along routes near the border, in surrounding towns and at the port of entry, including spot checks and targeted policing.
Passenger processing under pressure
The high passenger volumes had created logistical challenges, particularly in processing Malawian citizens travelling through Zimbabwe, Chalembe said.
“In order for us to facilitate Malawians, we need the Malawian authority to take over the process from us for them to be facilitated through Zimbabwe,” he said, adding that Malawian authorities appeared to be struggling to cope with the high number of people crossing the border.
