Authorities on both sides of the Maputo Corridor transit between South Africa and Mozambique have finally reached consensus about extended operating hours at the beleaguered border crossing, reports the Transit Assistance Bureau (Transist).
According to information received by a trade facilitator posting on Transist’s WhatsApp group, details are being finalised to permanently run the border on a 24-hour basis, “with a view to solving the problem of congestion that arises as a result of the increase in cross-border traffic”.
It’s understood the decision comes after intervention by the Confederation of Economic Associations in Mozambique, the CTA – Confederação das Associações Económicas de Moçambique.
Mozambique’s Ministry for Industry and Commerce and South Africa’s High Commissioner in Maputo are reported to have assisted CTA in its communications with the relevant authorities in South Africa.
The Lebombo crossing east of Komatipoort has been the bane of transporters operating on the N4 through Ressano Garcia and beyond.
With personnel issues exacerbating Covid-related personnel issues, bottlenecking at the border has sporadically resulted in trucks queueing for days in soaring temperatures.
At one stage, the crossing was bordering on becoming a humanitarian disaster as travellers were stuck at the chokepoint without access to water, ablutions or accommodation options.
It is not certain when details to keep the border open 24 hours will be finalised.
