The biggest problem at the border is a lack of 24-hour operations, meaning crossing time has increased from an average of one hour in 2019 to more than 20 hours.“Transporters confirm that border-crossing times are the worst they have experienced in 15 years. The queue of trucks between Komatipoort and Lebombo is frequently between 7km and 15km long.
Damage to the people and economy in the region by the current calamity cannot be allowed to worsen further.The SAAFF and MCSA want urgent, “intentional, focused and conciliatory bilateral engagements at the highest level of government”.“The operating hours of the border, 6am to 10pm, are inadequate to deal with the volume of port-bound minerals in transit.
Maree said public and private sector stakeholders in the corridor are willing to work together to resolve the issues urgently, but need the support of an enabling environment.
It is terrible. I've seen the 11km line of trucks waiting to enter Mozambique.