Beitbridge weighbridge marks milestone for cross-border trade

The Beitbridge weighbridge between South Africa and Zimbabwe signifies yet another milestone in the development of cross-border transport infrastructure, Department of Transport director general George Mahlalela said this week.
“The Beitbridge border post between the two countries is regarded as one of Africa's gateways to the world. Large volumes of heavy vehicles pass through this post on a daily basis carrying export goods from African countries to the Durban harbour as well as imports from the rest of the world to African countries to the north of South Africa,” said Mahlalela. “Due to the large number of foreign vehicles entering the country at this specific location, a traffic control centre to monitor overloading as well as the roadworthiness of vehicles at this point was of strategic importance. Through a control point at this position un-roadworthy and overloaded vehicles will be intercepted before they enter the South African road network where they can cause potential damage to our roads and jeopardise the safety of road users.”
The Cross Border Road Traffic Agency (CBRTA), responsible for the control of heavy vehicle movements as well as bus and taxi passenger transport over South African borders, also has a temporary control point located next to the N1 just outside Musina.
The aim of the centre is to inspect all foreign vehicles entering South Africa as well as all South African-registered heavy vehicles, buses and taxis entering or leaving the country. The centre has been designed to be expanded in future to operate as a toll gate with the aim of allowing all heavy vehicles entering the country to pre-pay toll fees at this point, said Mahlalela.