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With several deaths already recorded at the Beitbridge border post, the freight forwarding and transport industries have called for urgent intervention saying that “a humanitarian disaster is unfolding.”
The industries said the situation was “creating a possible Covid-19 catastrophe that also threatens a cholera outbreak.”
In an open letter to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, the organizations called for urgent intervention, highlighting their “dire conditions”, but have received no response.
The executive director of the Federation of Eastern and Southern Africa Road Transport Associations, Mike Fitzmaurice, said that Covid-19 regulations and restrictions introduced in early December had severely compromised the flow of traffic on both sides of the border post.
“There is only one place to test with a single point of entry and exit, creating a massive bottleneck that extends from Musina [Limpopo] on the SA side to the border post, and for more than 20 km on the Zimbabwe side.
“Congestion, aggravated by the annual increase in traffic at this time of year, has already cost SA the loss of revenue. During the first three weeks of December, the cost of delays at Beitbridge was nearly R88 million per week. Truck queuing delays amounted to R609 million per week, amounting to R2,092,860,000 to date, ”he said.
The president of the SA Association of Freight Agents (SAAFF), Dr. Juanita Maree, said that the losses to SA’s economy were in addition to the R442m already lost during the 27-day blockade of northbound traffic that had place last month.
Maree said drivers in the lines had run out of food, had no water to drink or wash, and there were no toilet facilities.
“Criminals are looting and stealing from trucks and drivers have given up hope of getting home to be with their families, while sitting in unbearable 40+ degree heat.
In addition, reports of corruption were rife, with some traffic officials allegedly accepting bribes of 1,000 rand from drivers who skipped the queue.
Maree believes the way to decongest the border is to suspend Covid-19 testing for drivers and close the border at night for commuters and bus traffic. Currently, the only test point is open only during the day.
“Trucks heading south unloaded must move in lots alternating with loaded trucks. Northbound truck traffic can pass through at night.
“The situation is desperate as this disaster is having a severe impact on Africa’s supply chains. Much-needed goods, including essential items, just don’t make it to their destination. There is no quick fix, but if the government is willing to partner with the private sector, we can restore the smooth flow of goods and people across the border, avoiding a humanitarian disaster and economic collapse in the region, ”he said.
TimesLIVE
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