Oshoek chosen for 24-hour Swazi border service

THE OSHOEK border post with SA has been selected as the designated 24/7 facility for cross-border traffic, Swaziland's Prime Minister Themba Dlamini told a group of business people last week. “We have decided on Oshoek because it is the busiest,” the premier said at a meeting of the Federation of Swaziland Employers and the Swaziland Chamber of Commerce. “It is SADC policy to have at least one border post operate extended hours,” Dlamini said. Located on Swaziland’s western border with SA, Oshoek (known as Ngwenya on the Swazi side) is the main point of entry and exit for commercial transport traffic en route to and from Gauteng. However, it takes two to tango, and SA needs to get on board, which is why the PM told business people “we are yet to finalise this.” SA will have to reciprocate, and provide staff and security for its Oshoek facility before it becomes “the border post that never closes.”