NATIONAL NEWS - Renovations on infrastructure, a slow electronic system as well as new tariffs are to blame for the kilometre queues at the Beitbridge Border Post.
According to DA Home Affairs Shadow Minister Angel Khanyile, truck drivers have been stranded at the port of entry for more than five days before they are processed to enter South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Khanyile says renovations at the border have caused queues of more than 50km with truck drivers being stranded without access to water or ablution and sanitation facilities, for days on end.
“As a matter of urgency we call on the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, to engage with his Zimbabwean counterpart and for the parliamentary portfolio committee on home affairs, Mosa Steve Chabane, to schedule an urgent oversight to the border post.”
Mmenyane Seoposengwe, the senior manager of strategic communications of Cross Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA), said construction at the border, as well as newly introduced crossing tariffs, have contributed to the traffic delay at the border.
“Construction at the Zimbabwe side has impacted the delay. Furthermore, Zimbabwe recently introduced new crossing tariffs for passenger, freight and private vehicles.”
Seoposengwe added that C-BRTA’s role is to ensure compliance on cross-border transport operations and the validity of permits. “This task would in no way cause delays.”
C-BRTA is working with our Zimabawe counterparts to address this issue, Seoposengwe says.
Khanyile adds that this situation will severely compromise the supply chain. “The South African and Zimbabwean economies are both dependent on truck drivers and they cannot be put in harm’s way because of a failure to plan contingencies during the renovations at the border,” she concluded.
