MBABANE – King Mswati used a state banquet for Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba last week to issue directives affecting road freight transport in Swaziland. After a series of road disasters perpetuated by overloaded or mechanically faulty trucks – and parliament’s declaration last month that Swaziland’s highways were a “national disaster” – the country’s ruler declared that truck usage must be reduced and be more carefully monitored on key sections of highway outside Mbabane. He called for a swift rehabilitation and reopening of the dormant rail line between Ngwenya, near the Oshoek border post with South Africa, and the Matsapha Industrial Estate. He proposed a lessening of truck usage on the only highway artery connecting the capital with the central and eastern parts of the country, and better vehicle inspection. “We are aware of plans to construct a railway line from Lothair to Swaziland and neighbouring countries. However, there is an immediate need to rehabilitate the railway line from Ngwenya to Matsapha so that the trucks can offload onto trains at Ngwenya which would transport the cargo to Matsapha and other destinations. This would help avoid the trucks having to utilise the Malagwane Highway,” the king declared. The rail link, controlled by Swaziland Railway, needs only ties and rail replaced, former rail company CEO Gideon Mahlalela told FTW. The rail bed is still usable, he said. The Ngwenya to Matsapha line is to be rehabilitated as part of the Lothair Line that Swaziland Railway is constructing in partnership with Transnet Freight Rail. The line will allow uninterrupted rail traffic directly from Gauteng to Maputo via Swaziland, saving shipping distance and time for users who currently must ship to Komatipoort before a westward leg through Swaziland to Mozambique.
