Beitbridge clearing 13,000 travellers daily

About 13 000 travellers are currently being cleared daily at the Beitbridge Border Post as traffic volumes steadily rise ahead of the festive season peak, prompting Zimbabwean and South African authorities to activate a coordinated cross-border management plan.

Officials from the two countries have rolled out an integrated festive season traffic-flow management system running from Wednesday until January 15 next year, aimed at easing congestion, improving efficiency and ensuring the safety of travellers during the busy holiday period.

Beitbridge, which links South Africa to the north-bound regional corridor serving Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique and Botswana, traditionally experiences a sharp spike in both human and vehicular traffic during major holidays.

Assistant regional immigration officer at Beitbridge, Mr Lucky Matyora, said the border post has been clearing an average of about 8 000 arriving travellers and 5 000 departing travellers daily between December 6 and December 12, indicating a gradual build-up towards the festive peak.

He said Zimbabwe and South Africa were working with harmonised systems that include the permanent separation of traffic streams and close coordination between authorities on both sides of the border.

"We are equal to the task; we have adequate manpower and so far, we haven't felt the effects of increased traffic," Matyora said. "As a department, we have deployed adequate manpower to all three terminals — bus, light vehicles and pedestrians — as well as the freight terminal to enhance efficiency and compliance."

He urged travellers to deal directly with immigration officials and avoid touts and con artists who often create unnecessary delays and inconveniences.

Matyora said the modernised Beitbridge Border Post, which permanently separates traffic, has significantly improved service delivery, with travellers now accessing tailored services through three automated terminals.

The introduction of the Online Border Management System and electronic gates (eGates) has further enhanced efficiency, allowing for faster clearance compared to previous years.

"We encourage visitors to Zimbabwe to make use of the Online Border Management System, especially those needing visas, so that they are cleared prior to arrival," he said. "This makes the process easier, as only a few compliance checks are done at the port of entry."

He also encouraged holders of the new e-passports to use the eGates, noting that they significantly reduce processing time.

Parents and guardians were advised to ensure that children are accompanied by trusted relatives and that all necessary supporting documents, in addition to valid passports, are carried when crossing the border.

During off-peak periods, Beitbridge typically clears about 15 000 travellers, 1 000 commercial trucks, 120 buses and 2 000 light vehicles daily — figures that usually double during the festive season.

On the South African side, Border Management Authority spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Mmemme Mogotsi said the country's 2025/2026 festive season operational plan was officially launched in Pretoria on Sunday.

She said major transport corridors leading to South Africa's land ports would be closely monitored, with support from the Road Traffic Management Corporation, the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency and provincial traffic authorities.

Additional resources have been deployed to border posts, she said, with some ports operating between 16 and 24 hours a day to cope with increased festive season traffic.

Authorities on both sides of the border have expressed confidence that the joint measures will ensure smoother movement and safer travel as thousands of people cross Beitbridge during the peak holiday period.