Neutral zone will be
established in May 2000
SOUTH AFRICA'S first one-stop border post is to open at Lebombo between Mozambique and Mpumalanga in May 2000, providing a special 'neutral zone' between the two countries.
The post will be opened as part of the Maputo Corridor project and will be the pilot in a series of similar one-stop posts which the South African government is planning in co-operation with other members of the Southern African Customs Union at points where South Africa borders Zimbabwe, Namibia and possibly Botswana.
Lebombo is currently being upgraded at a cost of R150 million and when opened will enable tourists and hauliers to make a single call where both customs and immigration facilities will be working jointly on a 24-hour basis to save a considerable amount in time. Drive-through control will operate on a system similar to booths at toll gates.
The operation is being handled by the National Inter-Departmental Structure (NIDS) for border control, which incorporates representatives of the customs authorities, South African Revenue Services, South African border police and immigration under the department of Home Affairs, together with Mozambique authorities.
Mpumalanga transport MEC Jackson Mthembu has put forward a plan to have the post renamed in honour of the recent wedding of President Mandela and Graca Machel, a proposal which is under consideration at present.
