Home
FacebookSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Categories
    • Categories
    • Africa
    • Air Freight
    • BEE
    • Border Beat
    • COVID-19
    • Crime
    • Customs
    • Domestic
    • Duty Calls
    • Economy
    • Employment
    • Energy/Fuel
    • Events
    • Freight & Trading Weekly
    • Imports and Exports
    • Infrastructure
    • International
    • Logistics
    • Other
    • People
    • Road/Rail Freight
    • Sea Freight
    • Skills & Training
    • Social Development
    • Sustainability
    • Technology
    • Trade/Investment
    • Webinars
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Africa
Imports and Exports
Logistics
Other
Road/Rail Freight

BORDER BEAT: Mokambo Road corruption on North-South Corridor exposed

15 Oct 2020 - by Eugene Goddard
$50 for a 90km muddy trench, that’s what transporters are expected to pay corrupt officials for using an alternate route out of the DRC’s Haut Katanga province. Source: Fesarta
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

Transporters on the southbound journey out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been advised that it’s not a legal requirement to use the Mokambo crossing about 90 kilometres south east of Kasumbalesa, the main border post between the DRC and Zambia.

However, corrupt law enforcement officials in the DRC appear to be abusing the misconception among cross-border truck drivers that they must use the Mokambo Road upon leaving the DRC at a charge of $50.

And whereas it was previously recommended to truckers that they request a receipt from officials, it now seems pointless as officials are issuing receipts anyway, despite the fact that the charge is illegal.

Moreover, the appalling condition of the road, especially in the DRC’s summer rain season, hardly merits a tariff for the use of this alternative road that adds to the misery drivers have to endure on the notoriously problematic North-South Corridor (NSC) in and out of the Copperbelt.

Mike Fitzmaurice, chief executive of the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta), says he has heard from a reliable source that officials instructing drivers to use the Mokambo Road is yet more proof of exploitation and extortion on the NSC.

“The Mokambo route for empties is not compulsory and is only an alternative route to avoid delays at Kasumbalesa for empties crossing back into Zambia.

“Therefore it is possible to use Kasumbalesa to exit the DRC, however it may cause additional waiting time to cross back into Zambia.”

More importantly, Fitzmaurice says, “the $50 being asked to transit that route is not a regulated fee and is going into the back pocket of officials requesting it”.

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

Port of Ngqura to welcome first ultra large container vessel

Logistics
Sea Freight

The ULCV stands nearly three metres taller than vessels typically handled at the terminal.

02 Jul 2025
0 Comments

Global ferry body strikes deal to boost safety

Logistics
Sea Freight

The agreement promotes cooperation between international members and operators in West and Central Africa.

02 Jul 2025
0 Comments

SITA appoints Pedro Alves as senior vice president

Air Freight
Technology

The new VP is taking the reins at a time when the needs of border agencies are fast evolving.

02 Jul 2025
0 Comments

Drivers targeted in latest cross-border scam at Kasumbalesa

Logistics
Road/Rail Freight

The Copperbelt’s most important border has been flagged for another scam aimed at fleecing truck drivers.

01 Jul 2025
0 Comments

Automated multiple entries secure declaration ease on the TKC

Logistics
Road/Rail Freight
Technology

Removing single manifest entries is a major headache for consol cargo clients transiting through Botswana.

01 Jul 2025
0 Comments

Global air cargo demand rises

Air Freight
Logistics

But some trade lanes have experienced a decline despite increased capacity.

01 Jul 2025
0 Comments

Bank launches new SME exporter programme

Imports and Exports
Logistics

The development platform targets black-owned SMEs with turnovers under R50 million.

01 Jul 2025
0 Comments

SA ports switch gear, record improved performance figures

Logistics

Latest data by the CMU heralded concurrent increases of 13% and 2% above target, said Saaff.

01 Jul 2025
0 Comments

Unitrans scoops global safety award

Logistics

The company beat about 18 000 contractors in 35 countries to clinch the top accolade.

01 Jul 2025
0 Comments

Logistics utility creates youth opportunities

Logistics
Skills & Training

The company has invested 6% of its total procurement spend in youth-owned business over the past year.

01 Jul 2025
0 Comments

Transnet invites bids for liquid bulk terminal

Logistics
Sea Freight

The development will include storage tanks, road tanker loading gantries and pipelines.

01 Jul 2025
0 Comments

Arrest of Molefe and others welcomed, but long-overdue – Saftu

Africa
Economy

The workers at UCW in Nigel – a local manufacturer with proven capacity – were the primary victims, Saftu said in a statement following the arrests.

30 Jun 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

Cold Chain Logistics 4 July 2025

Border Beat

Forum tightens net against border corruption
25 Jun 2025
Police clamp down on cross-border crime
17 Jun 2025
Zim's anti-smuggling measures delay legitimate freight operations
06 Jun 2025
More

Poll

Has South Africa's ports turned the corner?

Featured Jobs

Road Logistics Pricing Specialist

Tiger Recruitment
East Rand
02 Jul

Operations Manager

Lee Botti & Associates
Cape Town
02 Jul
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us