KEVIN MAYHEW AT THE expense of Durban, Musina could become a major hub for the sale of second hand motor vehicles imported into South Africa’s neighbouring countries from Japan and Singapore. Anticipation of this is already driving the creation of more warehousing space in the town. This is the view of Gary Mitchell, director of Musina-based Mitchell Export International, which has a 12 year history of exporting new and used motor vehicles to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. The company recently established a 5000m2 warehouse outside Musina with capacity for up to 300 vehicles under cover. “Previously second hand vehicles were brought into Durban and stored there until a buyer came to select a vehicle and pick it up. Now legislation makes it illegal to self-drive these vehicles within South Africa. Closer to border “The vehicles must be transported, so importers are looking to bring the vehicles closer to the border where they can be purchased, the paperwork sorted out and then driven over the border which is only 15 minutes away at Beitbridge,” he explained. The used vehicle market has grown to the point where up to 15 000 vehicles are imported for sale in neighbouring countries each month. At present there are about 70 warehouses in Durban where they are stored for viewing, Mitchell explained. The changing trend will impact negatively on the demand for this space in Durban, but Mitchell believes that Durban will remain a major storage base.
