Call for Collaboration to Tackle Logistics Challenges at South Africa-Mozambique Border
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Cape Town, Dec 12 (NationPress) The Parliament of South Africa has called for collaboration among various stakeholders to tackle the ongoing logistics challenges at the nation's primary border crossing with Mozambique.
This appeal follows the South African Border Management Authority (BMA) once again temporarily halting operations at the Lebombo Port of Entry on Monday due to protests related to elections near the border with Mozambique, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The crossing has experienced numerous closures since the election results were declared in southeastern Africa on October 24.
The BMA issued a statement Monday urging transporters to refrain from sending new vehicles to the port until further notice.
According to the Road Freight Association (RFA) of South Africa, the temporary operational suspension at the Lebombo Port of Entry is inflicting an economic cost of approximately 10 million rands (about $562,400) each day.
Local media have reported that demonstrators on the Mozambican side have obstructed this crucial route, which usually accommodates more than 1,000 trucks daily heading to the Port of Maputo. The suspension has caused a disruption in services, preventing the processing of general goods and passengers. A long line of trucks remained waiting to enter Mozambique, hoping for the port to reopen.
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs stated that it has reiterated its appeal for enhanced cooperation between the BMA, law enforcement agencies, Mozambican counterparts, and long-haul cargo trucks to alleviate the existing backlog of trucks at the Lebombo Port of Entry.
Following an oversight visit to the port, the committee expressed its worries regarding the prolonged delays in processing goods across the border, which have stemmed from the protests in Mozambique. The committee also commended the reopening of the Lebombo Port of Entry for goods late Tuesday afternoon, although this was not immediately verified by the BMA.
The committee emphasized the necessity for ongoing assessments of risk levels during the processing of goods to ensure the safety and security of items and the well-being of truck drivers.
It added, “Continuous communication and collaboration is essential between the South African and Mozambican governments to formulate short- to medium-term solutions to the present challenges.”
